Boksburg community members were privileged to see a movie set in the 1960s being shot in Commissioner Street between February 20 and March 4, with actors dressed the part and vintage cars parked in the street.
The film, Uhlanjululo, which means cleansing, is written, produced and directed by Zamo Mkhwanazi. I revisits the apartheid era from her perspective.
The storyline revolves around a family that owns a laundry.
The intensity of apartheid and forced removal puts Khuthala, the laundry owner’s son, in a position to choose between pursuing his music career or fighting the injustice that threatens his family’s business.
According to line producer Noni Ntelani, the crew chose Boksburg as the shooting location because of its many historical buildings.
“It has beautiful landscapes in which we saw a bygone era,” said Ntelani.
The case includes some famous faces – Siyabonga Shibe as Enoch, Bukamina Cebekhulu as Magdalena, Ntobeko Sishi as Khuthala and Zekhethelo Zondi as Ntombenhle.
The movie is due for release next year.
Langelihle Mbeje (16) who portrays a street kid named Albert, described his role as a challenging one.
Mbeje, however, worked hard to prepare for his part. His character taught him that although you may have enemies, you will eventually succeed, he said.
Mkhwanazi is working with Jim Stark to produce the movie, which is a Kude Media production.
Mbalenhle Ndlovu (21), a member of the public, said it was amazing to see the movie being shot in Boksburg. “It was so exciting to watch. I will go see the movie when it comes out because I was right here, on the set.”
Ntelani confirmed that permissions were granted before the shooting and that businesses had to be compensated for inconveniences caused.
She commended the EMPD for their assistance with the traffic.
Chairperson of the Boksburg Historical Association Tess Uren expressed her excitement over the film being shot in Boksburg. “It’s awesome that we still have buildings worthy of filming.”
According to Ntelani, they will be shooting another part of the movie in Benoni from March 12 to 18.
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