In commemorating the 1976 Soweto youth uprisings, the cast of Imbewu – The Seed have re-enacted the iconic scenes of the Broadway hit musical Sarafina.
Led by Leleti Khumalo, who played the lead in Sarafina and in the film, the cast have created a dance challenge for the public to join in marking June 16. A one-minute video of the cast singing the theme song Freedom is Coming Tomorrow is already trending on social media.
The idea of re-enacting Sarafina came from one of the cast members, Vuyiseka Cawe, who plays the role of Nokuzola in the show.
Speaking to Sowetan, Cawe said: “With June being a Youth Month and June 16 coming up I presented the idea to Mam Thembi [Mtshali-Jones]. I realised that we have Mam Leleti Khumalo in our midst and why not utilise that. I know people are always dying to see Mam Leleti doing that Sarafina dance for the last time.”
Mtshali-Jones said: “After Vuyiseka spoke to me, we presented the idea to the management and cast and everyone bought into it. The young people were excited to dance with Leleti, who was a star of Sarafina. The rehearsals of the moves and singing took place after shooting the show. Wearing that school uniform and with the same body shape, everything worked out well.
“For me, June 16 happened right in front of my eyes as I was living in Dube acting in the production Ipi Ntombi. I still remember that when I was trying to go to work the whole township was on fire. ”
Cawe said that Khumalo was patient with them when she was showing them the moves.
“Watching Mam Leleti doing those dance moves was out of this world. Seeing her wearing that school uniform just took the cake.”
Asked what June 16 meant, Cawe said: “It meant that there is value for the class of 2021 because education is still on their agenda and [they] have been fighting for their right. They still have the same sprit as 1976 youth. We acknowledge what June 1976 youth [have] done, setting a tone for us. I am challenging other television productions to do their own Sarafina re-enacting video to show that we are united. It is not about who does it best, it is for unity.”
A statement read: “This Youth Month Imbewu is celebrating with dance and they are challenging you and your friends or family to partake. With the legendary Leleti Khumalo as part of the Imbewu cast, she and her fellow cast members have started the #ImbewuChallenge using choreography from the film we all love.
"All you have to do to take part in the challenge, is to record a video of you and your friends or family dancing to the film's hit song. If you rise to the challenge, your video could stand the chance of airing on e.tv on June 16 during the episode of Imbewu at 9.30pm.”
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