‘A river runs through…’
The viewer virtually stands on the beach in St Lucia, admiring the path that the river had to fight through to make her way to the ocean
The Vryheid Herald was invited to the launch of the first-of-its-kind virtual reality (VR) film in KwaZulu-Natal. The experience with a VR headset transports you to a different dimension of reality, standing on the banks of the Mfolozi River, which originates on the Gevers’ farm on the outskirts of Vryheid. Ex-Vryheid resident Telmo Dos Reis directed this incredible journey of the Mfolozi River in the project called ‘Umfula – Echoes of the River’.
At first, it was a passion project for Telmo, but as time continued, he discovered more about the demand for progress and the severe impact this has on freshwater resources and humankind’s survival.
‘Umfula – Echoes of the River’ is a 360 VR journey that offers the viewers a glimpse into the essence of South Africa’s vast landscapes and the symbiotic relationship between water, cultural heritage and the environment. It is a story of a once majestic river that has had to face challenges of environmental conservation and community dynamics that speak of the urgency of preservation and the beauty of cultural diversity.
Through the immersive power of virtual reality, the river evokes a sense of responsibility and inspires one to ponder its impact on the earth and the legacy that is left for future generations.
Why was Umfula created:
It was motivated by a desire to highlight the cultural reverence for water in Zulu traditions, address the challenges posed by eco-tourism and heavy industry, and underscore the paramount importance of nature conservation. This narrative seeks to celebrate resilience, showcase the natural and cultural wealth of South Africa, and advocate for harmonious co-existence with our environment.
“Central to the documentary is the story of the Mfolozi River’s route to the ocean and the water that makes the journey through the heartland of the province. We chose this river as our key character. Besides being an essential life-supporting resource, she is the thread that weaves her way through a multi-faceted story in an organic and binding way. It is also at most risk of damage and can cause complex issues with the natural eco-system along its path. We have gathered together a range of stories that highlight life along the river; within these stories and organisations are local people who will share facts and personal accounts of their connections to the river. The film explores various themes that stem from our understanding of the daily interactions with and the history of the Mfolozi – from rural communities’ farming and sustenance needs, to church group interactions, to rich history and cultural references at local heritage sites dedicated to protecting the natural biodiversity and the communities they serve, and finally the very basic essence of water as a living organic natural organism.
“We have highlighted locations and landmarks along the river that will enable us to share with the audience a holistic perspective about life lived along the Mfolozi River and those who use it in general. We aim to juxtapose the natural gentle and more spiritual connections with the stark, dark and even hidden dangers to the river.
“Through this journey, we weave themes of faith, community, tradition, wildlife, biodiversity, conflict and courage. The voice of the river, whom we have interpreted as a female character (mother nature / nurturing), is used as the narrative tool to express the river’s understanding of life along its banks and its observations to evoke empathy and an emotional connection with the key character in our story.”
Community Tour:
This distribution opportunity has been supported by the National Film & Video Foundation through the Presidential Employment Stimulus package. This support for the industry started during the Covid-19 pandemic and has now enabled the crew to take the film back to the communities who engaged with them during the production of the story of the Mfolozi; to employ local people to organise and assist with the six events and screenings from Vryheid to St Lucia. “We have been able to employ more than 33 people across the six weeks of the tour; engage them in the discussion around water security and the environment; and build networks between communities along the river too. It is a wonderful opportunity for us as producers to give back directly to those affected by the many challenges faced along the river.”
At the end of the film, the viewer virtually stands on the beach in St Lucia, admiring the path that the river had to fight through to make her way to the ocean. A sense of relief (and various other emotions as well) is evoked as the viewer contemplates the impact of different industrial activities along the river which prevents her from running freely as nature intended.
ALSO READ: What’s lurking in the White Umfolozi?
The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Vryheid Herald, a sold newspaper distributed in the Vryheid area.
