The South African Ambassador to Qatar, Prof S M Soni, has announced the screening of the South African Film “One Humanity” in cooperation with the Embassies of Algeria, Cuba, Ethiopia, India and Palestine at the Drama Theatre, Katara tomorrow (August 29) at 19:00 hrs.
One Humanity tells the story of how the world came to focus on the ending of the apartheid regime in South Africa, and the role played in this process by two star-studded concerts that were broadcast around the world in 1988 and 1990. The film explores how these added to the pressure on the South African government, which was weakened by a series of uprisings within the country, the erosion of western support and the end of the Cold War and how this led to the country’s first-ever democratic elections in April 1994.
The story is multi-layered and gives voice to the history of the global anti-apartheid movement, told by those who were intimately involved. There are contributions from leading South African politicians including President Jacob Zuma, Frene Ginwala, Pallo Jordan, Mac Maharaj, Baleka Mbete, Essop Pahad and Amb. Abdul Minty, as well as from British politicians Peter Hain MP, Lord Neil Kinnock, The Rt. Hon. Richard Caborn and Lord Robert Hughes.
Other participants include Alan Yentob, then the controller of BBC2, which broadcast the whole of the first of the two concerts, Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute, in June 1988. US interviewees include Ron Dellums, former Congressman and mayor of Oakland, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, the legendary civil rights activist, and E.S. Reddy, who set up and chaired the UN committee against Apartheid.
The contributions from these key figures illuminate a story of vision, strategy, empathy and hope. And are complemented by wonderful performances or interviews from Annie Lennox, Whoopi Goldberg, Steven Van Zandt, Sting, Mark Knopfler, Eric Clapton, Chrissie Hynde, Ali Campbell, Joan Armatrading, The Manhattan Brothers, Chubby Checker, Jackson Browne, Natalie Cole, Patti LaBelle, Stetsasonic, Jonas Gwangwa, Gil Scott Heron, Aswad, Sly & Robbie, Bonnie Raitt, Mahotella Queens, Caiphus Semenya, Letta Mbula and Whitney Houston.
In referring to the collaboration with the Embassies mentioned above, Ambassador Soni explained that South Africa will be forever grateful for the role the international community played in the liberation of the people of South Africa.
Ambassador Soni went further by saying that South Africa wishes to send a clear message of solidarity with the government and people of Qatar and to show the power of culture in conveying the message of peace.
There will be only one screening of the film which will commence at 19:00 .
