Ingoma (2023) Movie Script
1
[male voice in slang] Hey, man.
It's that guy from TV, right?
[sirens wailing]
[deep bass rap music playing]
[dogs barking]
[woman in Zulu] Hey, stop him!
[tires screeching and sirens wailing]
[rap music continues to play]
[sirens wailing]
[tires screeching and sirens wailing]
[dog barks at a distance]
[woman shouts ]
[dog continues to bark at a distance]
[crowd screaming at a distance]
- [Themba English] Everybody down. Down!
- [gunshots and screaming]
Hey!
- [tense heart beats drowns out music]
- [muffled screaming]
[smooth rap music playing]
[children playing]
- [rap music continues]
- [cars hooting]
[man whistling]
- [Themba in Sotho] Indeed.
- I'm telling you, I saw it.
Where did you see it? This guy.
- You know what your problem is?
- Uh-uh.
- You forget that I was once your age.
- [laughter]
- Where is it, man? Where is it?
- No, man.
Where is it?
4-4-2, that's how we do it.
[students laughing]
- You see? I've been around.
- Okay, cool. Cool.
[in English] Okay. Okay.
This is what I want us to do.
I want us to play a game, a mental one.
[sighs] Don't worry.
Just humor me.
I want you to close your eyes.
- Just humor me, alright?
- [car hoots at a distance]
Okay.
[inhales] I want you to think of a song.
- Any song.
- [car hoots at a distance]
Maybe it's a song that's playing on radio.
You hear it here and there,
or whatever the case might be,
but you don't know
who sings it and you don't care.
Can you think of that song?
- Yeah.
- Yeah.
- You got it?
- Yeah.
Right.
Now, I want you to think of another song.
But the difference with this song,
- [in Sotho] is that this one is great.
- Okay.
[in English] It's a nice song.
You like it, you know
who sings it, it plays all over.
In the taxis.
[in English] Everywhere you go, you hear
this song. Can you think of that song?
- Yeah.
- Cause I can think of that song.
- For me it's, "namhla senz'umlando," '.
- [students laugh]
[in Zulu] You see?
That's what I'm talking about.
[in English] So, I want you to think
of something, yeah? This is my analogy.
[in English] If you and your life,
were to be a song,
what song would you be?
Are you going to be
that song that nobody knows,
[in Sotho] who sings it,
and they don't care?
[in English] Or do you want to be
the second song,
where you know the lyrics?
Yeah, it's a nice song,
but you're not gonna go out and buy it.
Or are you going to be the final song?
Now that one is the evergreen.
You know what they call the evergreen?
A hit.
The reason I'm asking you this is,
- people like Nelson Mandela,
- [car hoots at a distance]
[in Zulu] like Oprah Winfrey,
- like Jay-Z.
- [cheering in unison]
[in English] How long will you guys
be talking about Jigga and Beyonce for?
Oh, forever.
- Years and years, right?
- Yeah.
Those are the sort of people that
history books are written about.
Those are luminaries that leave,
[in Sotho] legacies in the world.
[in English] History books are
written about people such as those.
It's all,
your choice.
[in Zulu] You know what, Sir.
We hear you, yeah?
But I wanna know one thing.
[in English] Where did you go to school?
[hmm]
- St John's.[laughs]
- [students laugh]
[in slang] Cheese boy. A rich kid.
[in Zulu] You see? So, you sit here
in a fancy suit and shoes,
[in English] and you want us
to believe your stories?
[in Zulu] Look at the watch
you're wearing. Am I lying, gents?
[in English] This watch can
buy groceries for the whole year.
- [students in agreement]
- Right?
[in Zulu] Sir, when I look at you,
[in English] I can see that you've never,
- ever in your life slept with hunger.
- How?
You don't know
how difficult it is to be us.
- [Themba] Really?
- [in Zulu] At home, I eat a slice of bread
and share the rest among five people.
- Five, my guy? Make that seven for me.
- [student1] You see?
I live with my grandmother
and grandfather. And my grandmother,
she's sick, you see. She has to take
20 pills a day to stimulate her
blood sugar.
Yeah, but my point is, umm
we don't have money. Everything goes
to my grandmother and her medication.
- [in English] Exactly that.
- [student2] Yeah.
We can't afford your luxuries.
[Student1 in Zulu] You eat chicken curry
everyday. We don't even get to eat rice.
When we eat rice it's a special day.
On Sunday, if we're lucky.
[in English] No, no
- [in Afrikaans] You must!
- You must, gents.
[in Sotho] You've started with your jokes.
What on earth is that?
- My man, it's cabbage.
- This guy.
[in Zulu] Even if there's no food at home,
there is always cabbage.
[in English] That's why they call it
- [in Afrikaans] "Julle moet."
- [laughter]
[in Sotho] You see, around here Sir,
the whole family uses a basin
to bathe. There are no showers.
- A little tub.
- Yeah, imagine.
[in English] So, you know
what I find interesting?
You look at me now and you think
this is what you see,
this is what I've always been.
[in Sotho] That "Julle moet"
you speak of, I know it.
- Using a small bath tub, I know that.
- Okay, cheese boy.
- Cheese boy.[chuckles]
- Careful now.
When you take that corner,
- the third house from the other corner,
- [student] Mm.
- The one without a fence,
- Yeah.
- [in English] with a tall tree?
- Yeah.
- [in Sotho] I grew up there.
- Come on, Sir. Don't play with us.
- [in English] We're not idiots.
- You can ask anybody here. I'm from here.
- [students laughing]
- Listen to these ones.
[student1 in slang] Not a chance.
[in English] No, I promise you.
That's where I grew up.
[slow beats music playing]
[bell ringing]
- [students shouting] Next game, Themba!
- Hey and talk about Themba's
big hits, man.
- Jesus. Wow.
- Themba.
- Gents, travel safely.
- You too.
- Aweh. Check you, bro. Thanks.
- We'll check you.
- Great game, Themba.
- Thank you.
- Check you next time.
- Cheers, my bro. Have a good one.
Have a good one, yeah?
- Hundreds, man.
- Aweh.
[Themba exhales loudly]
Congratulations again, bro.
Player of the season.
Thank you so much, bro.
What do you have there?
Oh, this little thing?
Oh, this is just a championship trophy.
- Trophy?
- Yeah.
Oh Themba, you're so modest and handsome.
With that,
flat and shiny hair of yours.
I tried mousse on,
- Jacob's hair
- Oh my gosh. Mom, stop, stop, stop.
You can't say that. That's offensive.
His' not really shiny and flat.
It's not offensive.
It's a compliment. I like his hair.
Thank you.
You can't say that.
Can we just go, please?
We can't just go
and leave him standing here.
Oh, don't worry. My mom is
a couple of minutes away, it's okay.
- Are you sure?
- Yeah, I'm fine. I'm good.
So, she's almost here.
Maybe she's just on African time.
- Yeah. African time.
- Geez, Mom. You can't say that.
You're embarrassing. Can we just go?
Alright, alright, we will leave.
You must excuse my son.
Sometimes
- Yeah.
- Yeah.
Yeah, no problem.
[in slang] Bye.
[melodic piano music playing]
- [Themba sighs]
- [car door closes]
[engine starts]
[birds chirping]
[beautiful piano music continues]
[cars hooting]
[upbeat music playing]
[man shouts]
[driver in Zulu] Hello, mama. You alright?
Are you and him travelling together?
- Yes, we're together.
- Okay. Two more people and we can leave.
[driver] Then we're off.
Yes. There, we have one more.
Yes, it's all coming together.
There we go.
Oh my word, what's this I see?
You're drop dead gorgeous.
What a beautiful woman.
I know you're probably sweet enough
on your own, but if we were,
to become one, you be mine and
I be yours, it would be a magical thing.
Here you go, princess.
[in English] Does that line ever work?
[in Zulu] Oh, what do you mean,
because I see you smiling.
[in English] Don't flatter yourself.
[in Zulu] What do you mean?
Flattery is real, and it works. Hmm?
Look at how a beautiful woman
like yourself is looking at me.
Your flattery won't get you anywhere.
Oh, how do you know? That's not true.
[crowd chattering at a distance]
I could sweep you off your feet and take
you to a place you've never been.
Here, let me show you.
[car hoots] [man shouts]
There you go.
If you'd please hold on to these for me.
There you go.
Let's go, guys. Let's go.
Excuse me, my sister.
Gosh, where is she going?
You just jumped in.
Get in anyway. Get in.
Get in, get in.
There we go.
- [rubbing hands]
- There we go.
That's it.
Well, get in, guys.
You've heard it all for yourselves.
Seeing as the pretty lady won't give me
her number, we aren't going anywhere.
- No, that's not right. We want to go.
- What does that have to do with us?
[passengers whispering]
My goodness, sis'.
We're late, we're tired and we want to go.
Give the man your number.
[in English] Well, I guess
we're not moving then because,
I'm not giving him my number.
- [in Zulu] Geez.
- [clap]
- Really now.
- [deep sigh]
Listen, sis.
Tell our sister over here that,
if we go home together, she might
like it a lot. I have plenty of cattle.
[in English] [sighs] He doesn't
understand English.
[in Zulu] So, he says pretty, pretty
please give him your number.
So, give him your number.
It's not as if you're a virgin, right?
[in English] Can he take care
of me? Is he romantic?
[in Zulu] She asked if you have money.
Tell her that won't be a problem.
My cattle is in abundance.
Money is no issue.
Tell her that I'll treat her well.
[murmuring] Tell her.
[in English] So apparently he owns
this rank and the mall next door
to this one.
- Hmm?
- Yeah.
Does he have kids? How many?
[in Zulu] She asked
if you can make babies.
What?
Tell her to relax. I have plenty
of children all over the township.
Huh? Back home.
I have lots of kids.
I'll give her kids, easily so.
He doesn't have kids.
He doesn't know
how to make kids. He's clean.
[in Zulu] Well, we're not going anywhere.
- Come on, sis'. Give him your number.
- [woman] Come on, sis'. I mean
I'm uncomfortable. Look at how I'm seated.
And you won't give him your number?
Should I give him mine?
Would you like mine?
- Hold on. [murmuring]
- Okay, fine.
[in English] 073
- [man in Zulu] I'm also writing them down.
- 073
Hey, you'll stay behind. I'll kick you out
of my vehicle. Whose number?
- Whisper.
- [in English] 324.
[whispering] 324.
- 7602.
- 7602.
- [phone dialing]
- [in Zulu] 7602. Alright, there we go.
- So, who's in a rush?
- Don't you want mine?
You're now ruining things for me.
- [woman] Let's get going.
- [engine starts]
[indistinct chatter]
[kwaito music playing]
Did you hear
Did you hear what
your neighbor was doing yesterday?
No, I didn't. Let's hear it.
[both exclaim]
Hello.
- Hello.
- Hello.
Gladys' boy is back.
Hhm
You know, he mustn't
go to prison like his brother.
[scoffs]
Let me go and tell them that he's back.
[slow guitar music playing]
[slow guitar music continues]
- [thud]
- [grunts]
[in English] Ma?
[guitar music continues]
[breathes heavily]
[clattering]
[sad piano tones playing]
[breathes heavily]
- [door bangs]
- [in Zulu] There we go.
The rain clouds are a sound...
- I guess I'm in for a good night.
- [laughing]
- Am I right?
- No, man. What are you doing?
- Here, put this in there.
- [both laughing]
[Themba clears throat]
[in English] Oh.
Hello, son.
[in slang] This is my son.
- How are you, boy. What's up?
- [in Sotho] Don't mess with me.
- Themba, I didn't raise you like that.
- I'm not your boy.
Say sorry.
- Who is this, Ma?
- I didn't raise you that way. Say sorry.
[in Zulu] My boy, your mother here,
lives off me.
She uses my money to buy drinks.
- But you know that money makes
- [in Sotho] Leave, my guy.
Yes, but you can't say
that in front of him.
My guy, leave before you get hurt.
- I must leave?
- Leave.
- I'm not until I get what I want.
- Huh?
- What now? What?
- Themba, man.
Out. Get out.
[door shuts]
[in English] How dare you, Themba?
How dare you?!
[shouts] How dare I?!
[in Sotho] In my father's house,
how dare I?
- Who? Whose house?
- My father, Jacob. Have you forgotten him?
- Your father's house?
- Yes, this is my father's house!
- Who are you talking about? My husband?
- Yes. My father, Jacob.
- Have you forgotten my father?
- My husband? This man?
[in English] Do you know who this man was?
Do you know who that is?
This man was a great man
who took care of me,
and you two boys.
[in Sotho] You know the whole township
thinks that my mother has lost her mind?
Talking about my mother the drunkard!
Saying that my mother is a whore!
A whore?
Speak!
[in English] What did you
just call me? Themba.
[tense music playing]
Who are you to sit there
and judge me, your mother?
When I raised you and your brother.
Where is your brother right now?
- Where's your brother?
- [in Sotho] In prison.
In prison. Do you want
to join him in prison?
The madness that you speak of,
[in English] do you know
that it feeds you?
[in Sotho] That's R200
you just chased away.
R200 that gets you to school.
R200 that
I send to your brother in prison!
[in English] Is that where
you want to end up?
Do you think I like doing, what I'm doing?
[in Sotho] Spreading
my legs for nasty men?
Men with pot bellies.
[in English] Is that what
you think I like doing?
The only thing that
you are worried about, Themba
[in Sotho] is your precious sushi,
and fancy brands.
Why don't you wake your father?
Wake him up and tell him
to buy you your brands. Adidas, Nike.
[in English] Whatever it is.
You see this man?
[banging]
He was the love of my life.
I miss your father, Themba.
I miss this man.
[sobs]
Themba, you're my only hope [cries]
To get out of this poverty.
You're my only hope.
That's why I called you Themba.
Even your name says it.
You're my only hope.
[in Sotho] I didn't mean
to disrespect you, Ma.
[Themba] I didn't mean to disrespect you.
[sniffles]
[sobs]
[in English] I'm sorry.
[sniffles]
[sobs]
[cries]
[soft music plays]
[kisses]
[car drives by at a distance]
[birds chirping]
[groans]
[children playing at a distance]
[condom wrappers crackling]
[crowd talking at a distance]
Guess who.
It can't be.
[exclaims]
- Hey.
- Hey, how are you doing, babe?
- [in Xhosa] I'm good and you?
- I'm good.
- [in English] Are you happy to see me?
- Of course I'm happy to see you.
I mean, you're only
the most handsome guy in the world.
[chuckles]
You know how to put
a smile on a man's face.
Oh, so you're a man now?
- I mean, you want me to show you here?
- Uh-uh, come on.
Oh, what? Are your parents
home for the weekend?
- Supposably.
- Supposedly.
Huh?
- You said supposably, it's supposedly.
- Come on, Themba.
[car hooting]
What up, boy?
- [both laughing]
- What it do, baby?
- My boy. My boy.
- Come on. Come on with it, king.
[in Sotho] Ah, my man.
[Themba chuckles]
- [in English] This is you? This is you?
- What up, baby? In the flesh.
- This is you?
- What's good?
- What's up, man?
- Easy.
- I'm easy. Don't call me that.
- What up, cheese boy?
Come on.
[in Zulu] What? What are you wearing.
Ey, you and your shirts, boy.
[in Sotho] My boy, this is Prada.
- Oh, it's Prada?
- You see it for yourself.
- [in Zulu] Ah! Hold on a second, boy.
- [chuckles]
Hey, mama.[hmm]
- [Themba in Sotho] What's going on?
- Kiss me here.
- Kiss me here.
- [Themba] No, man.
Kiss me.
Dude, what's up?
Palesa, what's going on?
Pale
My man.
[scoffs]
[in English] Palesa.
Madam President.
President.
You see, my boy? I've been telling you,
- Palesa.
- [in Zulu] Listen. Listen, boy.
I've been telling you
to forget about Palesa.
But you won't listen.
Huh?
You don't take me seriously.
I've been telling you,
to just forget about her.
- [in English] But you just don't listen.
- Palesa.
- Palesa.
- [in Zulu] Stop calling her name.
Stop calling her name.
You see, boy? Look at yourself
and look at Palesa.
You're ashy.
- You know what, you're full of shit.
- Oh, hey.
[chuckles wryly]
Huh?
Huh, now?
Yeah?
- Listen.
- [breathes heavily]
Let me tell you. This energy of yours,
- and that anger you're carrying,
- [breathes heavily]
You should use it to make money.
But you are being aggro for nothing.
You're at school busy
chasing after a ball, hmm?
You're busy studying chasing rugby balls
and being an oke.
[in English] I'm a oke.
[in Zulu] Stop doing that, my boy.
Let me tell you something.[chuckles]
I can give you something to channel
your energy into and make money.
You get me?
When you chase after balls all day,
[in English] you sweat.
The only sweat,
that I do, my boy,
is when I'm on top of her,
and then she's moaning for me.
- She's moaning for me.
- [breathes heavily]
You know how she moans, right?
You don't know how she moans?
[in Zulu] Okay, look. You know the
[imitates sex] pa-pa-pa-pa
You don't know it?
[in English] Ah, my boy.
You are an embarrassment.
[in Zulu] But don't worry, I got you.
You know what we'll do?
Later,
come through to the grill-house.
I'll set you up and show you how money,
is made by real hustlers
like Mlilo, The Fire. Yeah?
Come to Bahama, boy.
Hashtag it.[sighs]
Oh Pale Pale
Pale Pale
Pale my
Lovey
- Pale Pale
- [car door bangs]
Listen, kiss me over here.
- Let's go.
- [laughs]
Let the going get going.
Leave him.
[amapiano beats playing]
[in English] Yoh.
Now, That's wild. Nah, dude, that is wild.
Nah, bruh. That is not wild.
That is messed up, okay? Like
there's no way.
[in Sotho] That's why
I want nothing to do with girls.
You don't want them cause
they don't want you.
- Come on. Shut up. Why say that?
- They don't want you. What can you do?
- What will you do? I'm telling you.
- Shut up. Why must you say that?
Mind your language.
Hey, look. Watch your language.
So, what happened, Sir?
Dude, that's simple.
The man had no money,
so the girl kept it moving.
- Simple. Simple.
- It hurts, boy. It really hurts. That,
you're broke and they leave you
because you're broke.
Look. Think about it.
Remember when we were at school,
that boy was dumped
because he had no money?
- The boy with the cars. Remember him?
- Yeah, I remember him.
- Life is tough, my man.
- Life is tough.
Big bro, break it down.
What happened next?
[in English] Yeah, so,
[tuts] as angry as I was,
I decided to go back to the
grill-house later that night.
- Ah.
- [scattered laughs]
[deep bass upbeat music playing]
[man whistles]
[deep bass upbeat music continues to play]
[cars racing]
- [man whistling]
- [crowd cheering]
Oh, yeah. Oh, Themba.
My dawg. The man who causes trouble
at a wedding. What up, boy?
[in English] Hey,
I'm not doing this for you.
Let's just get it over and done with.
[mimicking] "I'm not doing
this for you. I'm just"
Relax, boy. Huh?
[in Zulu] Yo, please give us some swing.
Give us some room to operate.
Let me talk to my boy.
Come here, man. Relax, man. Huh?
What's up?
You see that brother over there?
The one I just asked for some space?
Yeah? You see him? Look at him.
Okay, stop looking. Relax, Themba.
You get me?
[in English] This is one
of my biggest clients.
But soon, he's going
to be your biggest client.
So, you must
get to know him very well. Get it?
[in Sotho] Your biggest client?
Are you selling ass?
[in Zulu] [stutters] Themba.
Themba, you'll
you'll raise my blood pressure, okay?
Yeah?
- I'm trying to help you here.
- You said he's your client.
Yeah. Enough about that.
You see this, boy? Look.
[in English] Look over here.
- Look over here.[chuckles]
- This guy.
You get me? Look.
So, this is what happens.
Every morning, yeah,
[in Zulu] we meet up here,
you get your bag, you hit the streets
you make us some money and come back.
Scratch my back,
I scratch yours. It's simple.
- [in English] You want me to sell drugs?
- Listen. Would you just shh.
[mimicking Themba]
"You want me to sell drugs?"
[in Zulu] Where do you think we are?
- So, now you're pushing the white?
- No, man. Relax.
[in English] Relax, man.
[in Sotho] You're making noise about
selling drugs. Hold on a minute.
Let me tell you. You see here?
We hustle and we live.
We're people that make plans to
- [man in English] What's up, gents?
- Yeah, yeah, yeah.
[in Zulu] You good?
- What's up?
- Yeah, so I have the sugar.
You have it here?
Don't whip it out now. Hold on. Damn.
Look, man. I'll be back.
[in English] Stay put. Look around.
Loosen up, Themba.
Huh? This is not the burbs.
[deep bass upbeat music continues to play]
[footsteps approaching]
Hey.
Hey?
[scoffs] That's all you're gonna say
after everything I've just found out?
I didn't mean for things
to pan out this way.
[in Xhosa] Please understand.
[in English] Understand?
I understand. I understand, alright.
[in Sotho] I understand
that I'm a fool and you're clever.
[in English] I understand
that I'm not a thug and I
have no money.
Themba, it's not that black and white.
- Oh, it's not?
- [Palesa] No.
I love you.
[scoffs]
Please.
Humor me.
I do.
It's just that sometimes
money just isn't enough.
I mean, look around you.
[in Xhosa] Look at the people here.
Look at these girls.
I also want to look beautiful.
[in English] I also want a weave
and to get my nails done.
[in Xhosa] But I can't because
my parents are unemployed.
[in English] And my older
sister's in varsity.
[scoffs]
So, that's your excuse
to sleep with my best friend?
It's not like that.
[man1] Uh
it's all there.
As if you have a choice.
Uh [chuckles]
[in Zulu] Bra Ceasar,
you know I'd never cross you.
[in English] You know, ever since you
started hanging with that young chick,
you've gone soft on me.
Do I need to replace you?
No, no, no.
There's absolutely no reason to
[inhales] to replace me.
Good. Good.
Now get out of my face.
Oh, yeah. Your face, yeah. [clears throat]
Yeah, yeah. Sure, Bra Caesar.
[Themba] What's it like?
Tell me.
[inhales deeply]
Themba[inhales]
[Palesa in Xhosa] You don't know what it's
like sleeping hungry. Finding a piece job.
[in English] Having to clean up
after people. Doing people's laundry.
[in Xhosa] Doing people's
hair just to survive.
How would you know because
you're in boarding school?
With high walls and electric fences.
You eat whatever you want to eat.
[in English] Look.
I'm not judging you, okay?
Hello, lovers. Ex lovers.
#You'reMyGirlNow. You good?
[in Zulu] Please give us some space mammy.
Let talk man to man with my boy, yeah?
[excited noises]
Yes now.
Give me space to talk to Themba, alright?
Sure thing, the boys.
So, as I was saying. You see?
[in English] Tomorrow morning,
you come through,
[in Zulu] I give you your stuff you
hit the streets and start running. Yeah?
Yeah?
[in English] Loosen up, man.
Loosen up. [laughs]
[in Zulu] Huh? You've got
so much tension. Rato!
Please come here, my lovey.
Come here, Rato.
[in English] This is my friend, Themba.
- Yeah.
- And Themba has got so much tension.
[in Sotho] Please help him out.
Get him to stop being tense.
- [in English] Anything for you, baby.
- Anything for me, and anything for,
- Themba. Come on.
- Hi. How are you?
- I'm okay.
- Do you wanna give mommy a kiss?
Ah, thank you.
[in slang] Good Lord.
Hey, you. Thick mama.
- What's up? Hey, hey, hey. Relax. Relax.
- [in English] Focus.
Hey, hey, hey. Focus.
Hey, focus.
Thank you, my dear.
You see?
And that's where things went wrong.
Horribly wrong.
[cutlery clink]
So, you see I was desperate,
looking for ways to make money
and help my mother.
It was going towards Christmas and I also
wanted nice clothes. You know
Everybody buys new clothes for Christmas.
I wanted to be like all the other kids.
And I wanted to help
my mother, so I took a job.
[hmph]
- Selling drugs on the corner for
- [student1] Joh.
[in Zulu] for Mlilo.
[in English] You know,
I was surprised how much money,
I could make so quickly. Within one week
I had bought everything I wanted.
From clothes, you name it.
I had it all in one week.
[rap music playing]
Only to find that the cops,
had that very corner
where I was selling drugs,
under surveillance for a long time.
[students exclaim]
And just my luck,
that one fateful day
[cutlery clink]
[hmph]
[rap music continues]
[car approaching]
Just hold on a minute.
- [in slang] Hi.
- Hi.
[in Zulu] Aweh, hold on.
Let me sort her out.
- My sister, how are you? I'm good.
- I'm good. You?
Hook me up with the stuff.
No problem.
[rap music continues playing]
- [sirens wailing]
- [car engine revving]
- [dogs barking]
- [sirens wailing]
Hey, stop him!
[cop shouting in English]
Turn around! The other side!
- [rap music continues]
- [sirens wailing]
[dog barking at a distance]
[sirens wailing]
[crowd shouting at a distance]
- [Themba] Everybody down! Down!
- [shop alarm triggers]
- [gunshots]
- Down!
Hey!
[tense music playing]
You look like a nice young man, okay?
I just want to talk to you.
Just put the gun down.
- We'll talk. No one needs to get hurt.
- Hey. Hey.
[in slang] Fuck off.
- We'll just talk.
- Fuck off!
- [in Sotho] You hear me?
- Okay, put it down.
- [in English] Put it down.
- Oh, you won't listen?
[in Sotho] You don't listen.
[screaming]
- I'll kill her. I swear, I'll kill her!
- No, man. Hey.
- I'll kill her. I'll blow her brains out.
- [in English] Okay. Okay.
Get out!
- [in English] Just calm down.
- [in Zulu] Shut up! Get out!
- [in English] Don't hurt her.
- Fuck off!
- [sirens wailing]
- [tires screeching]
It's a hostage situation.
Tango Kilo 13. Tango Kilo 13,
come in. It's Tango Kilo 11.
[man over radio] Tango Kilo 11, go ahead.
Yeah, I need back up.
I have a hostage situation.
A young man, armed and dangerous.
What's your 03?
My 03 is, Vukani Kwa-ThemaSpaza Shop
on Tyolweni Street.
- Back up is on the way.
- I copy that.
[woman whimpering]
[in Sotho] Close the door. Lock the door.
Lock the door, old man!
- Don't do this, my boy.
- [woman whimpers]
- Don't do this.
- Hey, fuck you. Move it.
Mama, come around.
I'm watching you. Come around.
Come, mama. Come.
Come.
Oh my word.
[whimpering]
My boy, let's talk.
Let's talk, my boy.
This is not the time. Come.
[Woman continues to whimper]
[screams]
No, man. Come on. [in English] Everyone
Uh hands up! Hands up!
You see, boys?
Some of the greatest lessons in life,
come from the hardest times in your life.
- They'll make a man out of you.
- [car hoots]
Go down, and
[in Sotho] make a circle.
I said form a circle. Form a circle!
Go around. Go around.
No, wait a minute.
- Get into the corner.
- Yes, we're in the corner.
Keep still.
- [screams]
- [sirens wailing]
[disturbing music playing]
Are... Are you laughing?
Are you laughing?
Is this funny?
Huh?
You don't know what's going on.
You don't know what you are doing.
[in English] I know what I'm doing.
- No, you don't.
- Yes, I do.
[in Sotho] If you knew
what you were doing, you
you wouldn't look like a mouse
running around in a trap, my boy.
[in English] I know what to do next.
What I need to do, I
- I
- [in Sotho] You don't know. Listen
- [in English] I know!
- Okay. Okay.
[in Sotho] What I have to do next is uhm
- [in English] I just
- You don't know what you're doing, boy.
- [sirens wailing]
- [in Sotho] You hear that?
- It's all of you, you're the problem!
- Wait, listen. Listen. Okay.
I'd suggest you go and speak to the cops.
[in English] Negotiate
[in Sotho] your demands with them, my boy.
And if they agree then good. If they don't
agree, then you can shoot.
Bang, bang, bang.
- You can shoot her, plus she loves men.
- No.
- Hey.
- No, man.
- You can't talk like that.
- This boy won't do anything.
- He's scared. He
- Hey! Hey!
- But he's got a gun.
- And I'll use it right now.
- You'll use it, my boy?
- Now. Now.
[man2 in English] You want
to know what I think?
Huh?
I'll tell you what I think.
[in Sotho] I think
you don't know who you are.
- You don't know yourself.
- What?
[man2] Who are you, my boy?
This is Gladys
and Jacob Tshabalala,'s son.
[in English] No, I know the boy.
I know this boy.
[in slang] He's Shengu's son.
Yeah.
You're Mavuso's son.
[in English] Do you know who you are?
[in Sotho] I know your dad.
Your dad was an orphan.
He raised five of his siblings.
- Don't talk nonsense about my dad.
- Listen, your dad was a hustler.
Your dad did amazing things.
He lived in a four room house.
Exactly, your dad treated that four room
house like a ten bedroom Sandton house.
Hold on. That man worked
too hard for you to do this.
You know he worked hard.
Why
- Why are you talking like my mother?
- Don't even mention your mother.
Your mother was heart broken
when your dad passed away.
Yes.
She even started drinking.
She got into depression
but she overcame it.
And she made sure that,
[in English] you have food on the table,
my boy. You can't do this.
- You can't do this, boy.
- [Themba inhales]
Do you know who you are?
I can see your father in your eyes,
my boy. Your father was a hero. A mentor.
[in Sotho] Your father mentored
a lot of people. The likes of
Joe Nina. Yes. Joe Nina.
What's that Bucie song?
- [in English] Will you be my
- Superman.
- No, man, it's superhero!
- Superman.
The likes of Xolani Jwaga.
You name them. Kagiso Modupe.
[in Sotho] He's a director now.
Mentored by your father, my boy. Mshengu!
- Mshengu.
- [man2] Come on. Mshengu.
Yeah.
[in English] Don't do this
to yourself, man.
[man2 in Sotho] I mean, your dad, my boy,
if he were to see you from wherever he is
[in English] You know, the danger with
what you're doing is that,
[in Sotho] you'll land in trouble.
You young boys get into trouble,
because you don't know your roots.
[in English] You need to know
who you are, my man.
You need to know your identity
and it's not you pointing guns at us.
[in Sotho] You will hurt us.
You should be big, man.
Maybe a team captain, like Siya Kolisi.
Yeah!
Don't piss on your future like this.
Huh, my boy?
- Speaking of which. I need to take a piss.
- [Themba] No, no, no.
- Let me go piss.
- [Themba] Everyone down.
- [in English] Everyone down now! Now!
- [woman screams]
- Now.
- Okay.
[gasping] Shit.
[in Sotho] My boy
[Themba gasping]
[sirens wailing]
- [in English] It's okay, it's okay.
- [heavy breathing]
[in English] Oh, fuck.
[in Sotho] Papa, please help me.
Please help me, Papa.
[woman whimpers]
- [sirens approaching]
- [somber instrumental music playing]
[breathing heavily]
[indistinct chatter]
[in English] Okay, Maduwe,
what do we have here?
I'm not sure. I thought we'd keep it
safe until we can confirm his location.
Okay.
- [in Zulu] Hello, everyone.
- Hello, sis'.
- What's going on inside there?
- There are hostages inside there.
- Okay.
- So it means you have to stay over there.
Okay.
[birds chirping]
[footsteps fading]
[indistinct]
[in English] Okay. A young man.
He's armed, about 20, could be older.
About four hostages,
not sure, they could be more.
I think, if we come in from both sides
and we just lie low until
we're sure of his position.
- We good?
- We good.
[sirens wailing]
[crowd chattering at a distance]
[woman laughing at a distance]
[in Sotho] You know, my boy.
[in English] This won't end well.
[clears throat] Huh?
[in Sotho] No, you heard me, son.
You know, you're such a handsome man.
And your future is bright.
Do you know how many young men would love
to go to that expensive school of yours?
[laughs]
[in English] You know what?
That's the thing.
Because I go to an expensive school
people think I don't have any problems.
Not understanding that your problems
are expensive.
You don't know what it feels like, Mama.
You don't know
what it feels like to pretend
[in Sotho] like you're rich,
knowing very well,
[in English] that you're poor.
You don't know what it feels like,
being teased about your sense of style.
[in Sotho] One look and they can tell
that your clothes are fake.
They can tell your clothes are fake.
[in English] You don't
know how it feels like,
to be reminded everyday
that you don't belong.
One can't even enjoy a simple ham
and cheese sandwich because,
[in Sotho] I know that my mother,
probably had no food on that day.
If she did, it was a crust.
Crust
from the pap she made the previous day.
While I'm having ham and cheese.
I can't even enjoy it.
You don't know what it's like
after school these kids get picked up,
by luxury cars. In the morning
they get dropped off, while I,
[in English] "You, you must wake up
at the crack of dawn"
Get on three taxis and then climb a bus,
and then still walk
another three kilometers,
to get to school.
And when I get to school the teachers all,
have the gall to say, you're such a good
student because you're here on time.
[in Sotho] They don't know that I,
am just hiding the shame,
of my situation at home.
[in English] Oh, sports days
are my favorite. [laughs]
[sucks teeth]
[in Sotho] I become the star.
The White folk celebrate me.
They hand me trophies. They make me,
[in English] the man of the match.
Player of the season!
[in Sotho] All of my teammates parents
came to support them, but me,
[in English] not even one day.
[in Sotho] You know, Mama.
In the townships
[in English] when you try
and do something good,
[in Sotho] people get jealous.
Nobody celebrates you.
[in English] But when there's a loss,
[in Sotho] like you now.
[splutters in English] My boy. Boy
They're so quick,
to gather when someone is losing.
But you're never there,
to celebrate their wins.
[in Sotho] So forgive me, Mama. I'm tired.
I'm tired.
I also want to be a child.
I also want to be a child.
I'm burdened.
I'm tired.
I'm tired.
My child, you need to have that,
you need to have a,
- [in English] "So what" attitude.
- So what? [in Sotho] What are you saying?
You know
[in English] Do you know why
you're so tired and bothered?
It's because you've filled your heart,
mind and soul with,
so much unnecessary pressure.
[in Sotho] Papa, as people,
sometimes we do things just,
to impress other people.
- And that's exactly what you're doing.
- It's hard, Mama.[cries]
- I know.
- It's hard.
Don't focus on things
you don't have. But focus
on what you do have, my son.
And so what if your friends,
get dropped off in luxury cars?
It's not theirs, it's their parents cars.
Look,
these clothes of yours,
it doesn't matter if they're fake or not.
Those expensive brands are for them.
Their parents bought those for them.
They're not theirs, man.
[man2] I'm sorry to do this, my boy.
Not to sound awful, but,
fake clothes are unacceptable.
- You can't be wearing Apple Mac jeans.
- [woman1] Come on, Wes.
- Wes, stop it.
- Sorry to interrupt.
I just wanted to lighten the situa
- Stop it.
- Okay, I'll stop.
My goodness, Wes.
[in English] As long as you're covered,
and you're warm.
[in Sotho] And the fact that your
mother doesn't attend your sports games
- Don't worry about it. I know.
- But it hurts. It hurts.
Papa, I know,
but it's still a celebration.
You're still a winner and nothing changes.
Right? The achievement is still the same.
Sometimes you should put
the beautiful things you have,
in front of you,
and remember that at least
you have a little something. Okay, my boy?
- Do you understand me?
- Yes, Ma.
Yes, I hear you.
One day,
[in English] you'll look back at this day
and feel so stupid,
[in Sotho] that you ever doubted yourself.
[somber music continues to play]
Look, you haven't gotten there yet.
You hear me, my boy?
I know you're not
where you want to be yet.
But where you are right now,
- [in English] it's beautiful too.
- [exhales]
[in Sotho] And you can't
even see the beauty,
[in English] because you're obsessed
with where you're not.
[in Sotho] Sometimes just let life be.
[crowd chattering at a distance]
[woman2] Let everything
just fall into place.
You must just relax.
You hear me, my boy?
[Palesa crying]
[Palesa whimpers]
[student1] I'd like to know,
[in English] why was she
crying if she wronged you?
[in Zulu] I won't even lie. If it was me
- I was going to slap her.
- [others laugh]
- Like this. Finished.
- No, whoa.
She's disrespectful. Imagine, boy.
[in English] See, that response is exactly
what society expects of us as Black men.
And it is now time for you young men
to change this stereotype.
It's time for you guys
to change this narrative.
We don't own women,
we have no right to beat them.
When a woman says no, she means no.
[birds chirping]
I mean, look at me and Palesa.
She rejected me at the most
vulnerable point in my life.
Did I go mad?
Did it hurt?
Yes, it hurt.
But guess what?
I took it and made something,
out of it for my own life.
For my own benefit.
So, when a woman breaks up with you,
or does things that you don't like,
prove her wrong.
Don't be that guy.
Always remember it's not always about you.
Sometimes,
there's just things going on in her life
and your timing is wrong.
Hmm?
Sometimes she's not feeling you.
And another girl will feel you.
Sometimes you must just wait,
and what is meant to be will be.
- [speaking Spanish] Que sera, sera.
- [in English] Whatever will be, will be.
[Themba] Whatever will be, will be.
[in Sotho] You know it.
- Where did you learn Spanish from?
- It's not Spanish. It's Greek. Sorry.
[All laugh]
- [in English] Whatever will be, will be.
- Remember that.
[in Sotho] [stutters] What is it? Que
- Nada.[laugh]
- Nada?[laugh]
[speaking Spanish] Que sera, sera.
[in English] Whatever will be will be
The future is not ours to see
[in Spanish] Que sera, sera. Uh-huh. You
must go to church, you'll get it there.
[students laughing]
[Themba] Huh-uh.
[in Sotho] No ways. Not you.
Not you, you little whore.
You're crying?
Huh?
She's [chuckling]
- She's faking to cry. You see her?
- Themba. Themba, Themba, Themba.
No, man.
[chuckles] Huh?
[in English] You know,
I wasted four years,
- of my life.
- [sniffles]
I gave you four years.
I loved you.
- Yes, maybe I,
- [sniffles]
Did not own,
a droptop.
[Themba laughs]
Maybe I was not a thug.
[laughs]
But the little that I had,
I gave to you.
Yes, I couldn't take you
on expensive dinner dates,
[in Sotho] but I could hustle
and get you a bunny chow.
[in English] That's the best I could do
from the bottom of my heart. I could,
hustle and at least take you
out to the movies. See, for me,
the main thing was sentiment.
Meaning.
Being genuine.
I'm not where I want to be as a man
but I'm working towards it.
I guess, I just wanted
a Bonnie to my Clyde.
I wanted a ride or die.
- [sniffles]
- And you decided to ride away
[chuckles]
In a droptop.
[sniffles] [sighs]
[in Sotho] You know,
I can actually see that,
you're your mother's daughter.
She's her mother's daughter.
Themba, that's not true.
- Huh?
- [sniffles]
I said, you're your mother's daughter.
- I don't know what that means.
- That means
your mother raised a bitch.
[cries]
A slut. You're a low-lying bitch that I,
- went and gave my whole life to.
- [Palesa shouting] Okay, Themba!
[man3] No, man.
[Palesa whimpering]
[in Sotho] What are you doing?
What are you doing?
[in English] Do you know this song?
[soft music playing]
This is the kind of song
that transcend,
races,
nationalities and generations.
Your children,
and your children's children
will be listening to this song,
way
after you're gone, son.
And next time
when you want to lay a hand on a woman,
ask yourself one thing.
What kind of a song,
do you want to be?
Do you want to be that kind of a song,
when people look at you and say
[in Sotho] No
don't tell us about Themba.
[in English] He's a wife-beater,
or do you want people to say,
Themba,
[in Sotho] loved his family.
He loved his wife,
and took care of his kids.
Huh?
Do you want people to say,
don't tell us about Themba,
[in English] he was arrested
for killing women.
Or do you want them to say,
Themba was protective,
of women.
My boy, ask yourself a question.
Are you going to be,
a killer,
or a healer?
Are you going to be a nation builder,
or a nation destroyer?
Is your song going to be, my boy,
one that will be sung
through history?
Nelson Mandela was that song.
Oliver Tambo was that song.
Robert Sobukwe was that song.
Walter Sisulo was that song.
Jacob Tshabalala,
your father was that song.
So, do you want your life to be a song,
worth singing, my boy?
[in Sotho] My boy
[in English] I was once,
a broken man.
But I chose to be a different song.
You know, at some point in my life,
I used to be an abusive man.
I used to abuse this,
this Black queen.
My Angie.
Baby
I'm sorry.
I'm still sorry. I didn't know,
any better then.
And I will never stop apologizing to you.
[emotional instrumental music playing]
[man3] in slang] My boy.
[in English] When you have
to change your life,
you almost face it like
you're an addict or an alcoholic.
One day at a time. And one day at a time
for over 30 years is what I've been doing.
Just to make sure,
that I become a better man.
I was six years old, my boy,
when my father,
left our family.
[in Zulu] My mother,
made sure that we slept
on full stomachs. But sometimes,
we slept on empty stomachs.
But she worked,
just like your mother.
Ma Glad. So, my boy,
[in English] you still
have an opportunity,
[in Zulu] to decide what kind of a man,
[in English] do you want to be?
[hmm]
[emotional instrumental music playing]
[in Sotho] Right now,
[in English] it's your opportunity,
it is for you,
to choose.
You have an opportunity
to become a role model.
So that the whole community and millions,
of people,
to look up to you.
[in Sotho] So, my boy.
[in English] You still
have an opportunity,
to decide what kind of a man,
[in English] do you want to be.
[in Sotho] You're crying?
- You're crying? No. No.
- Shh.
[in English] Men don't cry.
[in Sotho] Geez.
- You can't point a gun at us and cry.
- [man3] Come on, Wes.
- Come on, Wes.
- No, no, no.
- No. The man must fix this thing!
- [man3] Wes.
[man3] Something happens, my guy
[in English] when a man cries.
Something really happens.
The heart softens a bit.
[in Sotho] I think it's
actually the opposite.
[in English] It's a sign of strength,
my boy.
Yes, my boy. It is not a sign of weakness.
[in Sotho] Do you hear
what I'm saying, my boy?
[in English] Because in that vulnerability
there is strength.
Vulnerability, my boy,
vulnerability my boy is,
the new strength.
When tears flow they soften,
a frozen heart.
They make it melt.
[tense music playing]
I'm so sorry.
[Palesa sobs]
Please forgive me.
I just let my situation turn
me into something I'm not.
I'm not even into material things.
[in Xhosa] And I don't want those things
anymore, Themba.
[cries] [sniffles]
Please forgive me. And we could,
[in English] we could start over
and I could be better.
[cries]
[in Xhosa] I don't want those things and
I don't want us to be another statistic.
[in English] You and I
could just start afresh.
[in Xhosa] We can have a new beginning.
[in English] We can help each other.
I could be better, you could be better.
[sobbing]
[in Xhosa] Please just forgive me.
I beg of you, Themba.
[in English] I'm so sorry.
[sniffles] Please.
[whispering] Please.
[romantic song playing]
I've got to take this.
Sorry, just hold on.
- [phone beeping]
- Oh, hello, my love.
Hello, my love. How are you?
Same old, same old. But more importantly,
- how's it going there in London?
- [in Sotho] It's freezing here.
[in English] The summit is going well.
I did a presentation and they loved it.
They literally lapped up,
the Honey Black Girls.
[tuts]I think we gonna get this one.
Oh! That's fantastic news.
I'm proud of you.
Well, it really feels good, you know,
to be recognized for my own hard work.
Not because of who I am,
or who I'm married to.[chuckles]
I'm really happy for all
your progress. You've done well.
I'm proud of you.
And so next time
when I'm working on an international
campaign I don't wanna hear that,
"Close your laptop
and come to bed early". Right?
Eh. Well, yeah.
Okay.[chuckles]
You say that now.
Well, you can't blame
a man for trying. Can you?
Listen, I have to go.
I love you.
I love you.
Bye.
[kisses]
Okay, before you get excited,
that was my wife.
The same Palesa
who was crying there in the shop.
That's my wife.
Yeah, I told you.
[in Sotho] Stop pointing at me.
[phone ringing]
Whose phone is that? Yours?
[in English] Don't you dare.
- Hey, hey, hey.
- [screams]
- [in Sotho] Ma Angie, you too?
- Oh, okay.
Fuck. Give me your phones, right now!
- Put them in here!
- [man2] Sure.
[in English] Boy boy, take it easy.
- [in Sotho] Easy, my boy. Easy, Themba.
- [man2] Here are the cellphones.
- Easy, my boy. Easy, Themba.
- Come this side.
Must I put them here?
[phone vibrating]
Sure, my boy. I'm sorry, boy.
Themba, easy.
- You, where's your phone?
- Take it easy.
- We have no phones on us.
- I have nothing.
Whose is that?
- Is it you?
- No.
- [phone continues vibrating]
- Whose phone is ringing?
- It's
- Where is it?
Gosh.
It's the boy who
I'm watching you.
Sure.
Hey, boy. Fuck off.
- Who the hell is this?
- [man2] Take it easy.
- Come. Move it.
- Themba, Themba. Don't do that.
Are you a snitch, boy?
- Themba. Themba.
- I will kill this boy. Who is this?
- Who's this? Come here.
- His name is Gift.
Are you a snitch?
- Did you call the cops?
- No, it wasn't me.
- Then who was it?
- Take it easy, man.
- Wait
- Come over here.
- He's a student from Wits.
- Okay, okay.
- Come here. Okay, okay.
- He works here.
He's a Wits student.
And he's doing his second year of BCom.
Did he call the cops?
No, he works here.
He only works,
during school holidays.
Yes. He works here and then
- [stutters] He's an orphan.
- An orphan. Who cares? Get over there.
- Yoh.
- No, man. No.
- No, man. Themba, no.
- Themba, Themba, Themba.
- Relax.
- Geez. Sorry, boy.
[cop in English over radio]
Themba Tshabalala.
This is the police.
You are surrounded.
You have nowhere to go.
Please come out with
your hands behind your head.
Ah
[in Sotho] Did you hear that?
- Themba, no!
- Themba, don't do that! [screaming]
[Dramatic music plays]
[in English] One of the suspects who is
doing his last year in high school,
has been on the police watch list,
as one of the people
who was selling drugs.
He was immediately caught
red handed earlier this afternoon.
And he immediately fled the scene
as soon as the police approached him.
So far, no one has been reported injured,
or actually reported dead.
We'll bring you more updates
as the situation unfolds.
I'm Thembi Mrototo,
and this is BKN News.
[in Sotho] Boy, look.
We don't know each other.
Look me in the eyes. Please.
My guy,
we don't know each other.
You don't owe me a thing
but can I tell you a story?
- Before you do what you're about to do
- Do you think I have time for stories?
- [man3] Themba! Themba!
- No.
But can I tell you still? Please.
[in English] Five years ago,
I also lost my superhero.
[in Sotho] My dad.
Just like you, Themba.
I was also raised in the township.
Right here in this hood.
But I went to Springs Boys High.
So,
my dad used to work as a delivery man.
And every time after school,
he'd pick me up
and drive back to the hood.
[in English] Okay?
So, this one time
when my dad came to pick me up,
he sees this old,
frail man,
[in Sotho] hitchhiking on
the side of the road.
As he was hitchhiking,
my dad decides to give him a lift,
because he seemed harmless.
He got into the car
and he was carrying this big bag.
[in English] So, because,
[in Sotho] he wanted to know,
my dad asked him where he was going.
And the man said,
he's taking his dog to the vet.
[in English] So, because my dad
is the type of man who,
called a spade a spade.
[in Sotho] He told the man,
[in English] what I'm going to advise
you is to save your money,
and just bury this dog.
Save your money,
and bury this dog.
But this old man insisted and he said no.
[in Sotho] He's going to town
and he's taking his dog,
[in English] to the vet.
[in Sotho] So, my father dropped him off,
[in English] and he came to Springs,
picks me up,
[in Sotho] and on our way back home
my dad decides to drive past town,
to check on the old man.
As we drove, we passed by the park
and I remember him slowing down.
[in English] And I looked in the direction
that he was looking,
and I remember there was an old man
just sitting there and holding,
[in English] a doggy toy.
[in Sotho] And instantly my dad starts
saying I knew it. I told that old man.
[in English] And then,
this man throws the toy,
and out of nowhere, boom,
a beautiful,
bouncy,
healthy dog just goes after it.
[Themba exhales]
[in Sotho] And I remember my dad saying,
Gift, come. Let's go to him.
[in English] We go to the old man,
and I'll never forget
what this man said to my dad.
[sighs]
[in Sotho] It's actually kind of funny.
This pastor reminded me last week.
[in English] This old man
said to my dad. Themba.
- [in Sotho] Don't touch me.[growls]
- I'm sorry.
He said to my dad, I told you
that the dog is not dead yet.
Themba, please listen to me carefully.
Themba. Themba.
- Themba. Themba. Themba. Please, boy.
- Don't touch me.
Listen carefully.
[in English] The dog,
- is not dead, yet.
- [gasps]
- Themba, Themba, Themba!
- [woman shouting] Oh no.
Themba! Themba! Themba! No!
[man3 in Sotho] Themba. Please, boy.
- Themba.
- [in English] Themba, the dog
- Themba, boy. The dog is not dead yet.
- [exhales]
[in Sotho] Themba, please.
Listen to me, boy.
[in English] The dog,
is not dead yet.
Themba.
The dog,
is not dead yet.
The dog,
- is not dead, yet.
- [breathes heavily]
[sad piano music playing]
[birds chirping]
[door opening]
[man3 chattering]
- [in Zulu] Where's this boy? Come.
- He's right here.
Come, damn it.
[man2 in English] Whoa, whoa, whoa.
Alright, alright.
Alright. Let's form
a human shield around him.
Just form a human shield around him.
Okay.
[in Zulu] My people.
May I please have a word with you?
You know
[Themba breathing heavily]
I'd especially like to talk
[radio beeps]
To the men.
You know, men, these young boys,
these young boys,
need us
to protect them.
We need to teach them how to become men.
So they can be honorable men.
Do you hear me, gents?
And another thing I want to say,
you know what,
[in English] our households
have got fewer men.
[in Zulu] And I'm telling you, gents,
[in English] the impact,
- yes the impact,
- [Themba breathing heavily]
Of an absent father,
[in Zulu] it affects a family
and the generations to come.
So, gents, let us do better.
Do you hear me? Let us do better.
I know that we're all facing
challenges in our families,
but, gentlemen
[in English] know one thing,
I am no different.
[in Zulu] But what I want to say,
is that we need to stand on our feet,
and raise these boys to become real men.
Let us help them, gentlemen.
Let us help them manage their anger.
So they can stop
using drugs. Do hear me?
[in English] Let us help them
to build self-respect.
And to add to that, Bra Mac. Uhm
[stutters]
Fellow South Africans
media at large, everyone
uhm
Let's help these young men to
to be better members of society.
Okay?
[in Sotho] And let's teach them to be,
[in English] to take care of our women.
[in Sotho] Right, my boy?
I thank you. I thank you.
Let's protect our women.
[in English] Please.
[in Sotho] The fact that,
[in English] you're still alive,
is a blessing.
[radio beeps]
[in Sotho] Some are in prison.
Some are dead.
Some are in hospitals.
There's a better way, my boys.
[in English] There's a better way.
I know many have written you all off.
Including your own family members.
- But trust me
- [Themba sniffles]
I believe in you.
[in Sotho] I have faith in you, my boys.
I know that you're going to succeed.
[in English] Your destinies
were written a long time ago.
And it was decided a long time ago that,
[in English] you are going to succeed.
You are going to win.
Show these people.
[in Sotho] Show them that
you come from a good lineage.
[in English] You're intelligent young men.
And you're not just
doing it for yourselves.
You're doing it for your ancestors.
The ones that paved the way for you.
And even for generations to come.
It's your life.
Own it, take it, run with it!
[crowd cheering]
[in Zulu] And to you, law officials
I'd like to apologize.
I know maybe you're thinking that,
we're wasting your time,
or that we're wasting
the government's resources.
But this matter,
of these young men, to us,
it is a huge crisis.
- Seeing these young men going astray,
- [car hooting]
And killing themselves,
doesn't sit well with us.
So, I'm really sorry, guys.
And to the community,
I'd like to apologize
on behalf of this boy.
Let's forgive him.
He made a mistake.
We all make mistakes.
And, my boy,
in life,
we learn,
from our mistakes. Do you hear me?
[in English] We learn
from our mistakes.
To add to that, Bra Mac uh
- don't make the same mistake twice.
- Yeah.
I thank you.
It takes a village to raise a man.
- Yeah.
- [in Zulu] That's right, sis'.
Here's another thing, my boy.
In life,
[in English] you reap what you sow.
So, you have to go and face,
the consequences of your actions.
- [in Zulu] Do you hear me, my boy?
- Yes.
[in English] But just know one thing,
you can live better without going to jail.
Make your life better, my boy.
[in Zulu] Change, my boy.
- Do you hear me?
- Yes.
[in English] But for now,
you have to face the
consequences of your actions, my boy.
[in Zulu] Be a man.
[man4] Let's raise our hands.
[in English] I want to speak a blessing
over your life, son.
[in Xhosa] May your neighbors,
give your respect
so your problems don't weigh on you.
[in English] May God, your ancestors
and your angels guide and protect you.
[man in crowd responds]
May the heavens accept you one day.
May you have strength,
to urge the sun to rise. When it doesn't,
you rise, son.
[in Xhosa] Don't be scared, son.
[in English] You are not alone.
Just look around you.
[emotional vocal music playing]
There's still a chance
that the dog,
is not dead yet.
[in Xhosa] Amen. May the Lord
guide and protect you.
[man3] The dog is not dead yet.
[in English] The dog is not dead yet.
The dog is not dead yet.
[crowd chanting] The dog is not dead yet.
The dog is not dead yet.
The dog is not dead yet.
- The dog is not dead yet.
- [man chattering]
The dog is not dead yet.
The dog is not dead yet.
The dog is not dead yet.
The dog is not dead yet.
The dog is not dead yet.
- The dog is not dead yet.
- [crying]
The dog is not dead yet.
The dog is not dead yet, son.
The dog is not dead yet.
[emotional vocal music continues]
[siren wailing]
[man3] This is the kind of song, my boy
that transcends race,
nationality, generations.
Where you are right now is beautiful too.
Mshengu. Mshengu. Do you know who you are?
[Palesa in Xhosa] Themba,
please forgive me. I'm so sorry.
[boy in English] The dog is not dead yet.
[mom] Themba, you're my only hope.
That's why I called you Themba.
Even your name says it.
[sad music playing]
[Indistinct chatter]
[sad music continues to playing]
[man5] Themba Tshabalala.
[in Zulu] Your time has arrived.
[reporter in English] It is judgment day
here at the Springs Magistrate Court.
You will remember
a few weeks ago the accused,
whom we have now identified
as Themba Tshabalala,
has been charged guilty,
for drug dealing and kidnapping.
The judge has postponed the matter to
hear both arguments
from the defense and the state.
He was both convicted
for both the charges.
We are now standing by to hear
all the news, because today,
is judgment day.
[crowd whispering]
[murmurs]
[door opening]
All rise.
Okay, we may all be seated, please.
Could we please have
Mr. Themba Tshabalala?
[crowd cheering]
- Order.
- [whistling and cheering]
- Thank you. Order.
- [shouts and whistles die down]
Mr. Tshabalala, this court has found
you guilty of holding people hostage
and threatening violence.
And of,
aggravating violence.
And after careful consideration,
and listening to arguments
from both the defense and state
in mitigation and aggravation,
of the sentence respectively
I believe that the sentence
I'm about to give is appropriate,
to this particular case.
Mr. Tshabalala, could you
please stand on your feet.
[tense heart beating]
So, this court is sentencing you,
to 18 months
of community service,
under police supervision
on the condition,
that you
do nothing wrong during this time.
If you violate this sentence
in any way then
you will be sent to prison for 15 years.
Listen[sighs]
Young man.
I don't want to ever
see you in my court again.
Do you hear me?
This is a slap on the wrist,
it's a warning.
You don't get many slaps on the wrist.
I want you to
pull your life together.
It's hard enough being,
a young Black man in this world.
Don't succumb to peer pressure,
it'll pull you down that rabbit hole.
Listen to your mother.
Listen to your village.
They're over there, okay?
You owe them that much.
You're young.
So, work hard at school. Play hard.
But treat women,
with respect
and believe
in yourself.
[suspense music plays]
[sighs] Court is adjourned.
[cheering and applause]
[crowd chanting] The dog is not dead!
[man whistles]
[crowd continues to chatter]
[man whistles]
[suspense music continues to play]
[crowd continues to chatter]
[man whistles]
[crickets chirping]
[student in slang] Mr. Pres,
you're monied.
- No lie. We are impressed.
- [student1 clapping]
- My boy.
- Ma Angie.
- [in English] It's always good seeing you.
- It's so good to see you, it's also even,
better to see this bunny chow of yours.
That's why I'm here.
[in Sotho] I'm glad.
[in English] Pass my greetings
to your mother, okay?
- I will do so. Thank you.
- Shall we go, Mr. President?
Yes. Yes.
- [in English] This way, Sir.
- Thank you, Ma Angie.
- Thank you.
- Thank you so much.
- Thank you.
- Cheers, guys.
- [in Sotho] I'll see you guys.
- Bye, Mr. President.
[uplifting music playing]
[students cheering]
Subtitle translation by: Percy Smith
[male voice in slang] Hey, man.
It's that guy from TV, right?
[sirens wailing]
[deep bass rap music playing]
[dogs barking]
[woman in Zulu] Hey, stop him!
[tires screeching and sirens wailing]
[rap music continues to play]
[sirens wailing]
[tires screeching and sirens wailing]
[dog barks at a distance]
[woman shouts ]
[dog continues to bark at a distance]
[crowd screaming at a distance]
- [Themba English] Everybody down. Down!
- [gunshots and screaming]
Hey!
- [tense heart beats drowns out music]
- [muffled screaming]
[smooth rap music playing]
[children playing]
- [rap music continues]
- [cars hooting]
[man whistling]
- [Themba in Sotho] Indeed.
- I'm telling you, I saw it.
Where did you see it? This guy.
- You know what your problem is?
- Uh-uh.
- You forget that I was once your age.
- [laughter]
- Where is it, man? Where is it?
- No, man.
Where is it?
4-4-2, that's how we do it.
[students laughing]
- You see? I've been around.
- Okay, cool. Cool.
[in English] Okay. Okay.
This is what I want us to do.
I want us to play a game, a mental one.
[sighs] Don't worry.
Just humor me.
I want you to close your eyes.
- Just humor me, alright?
- [car hoots at a distance]
Okay.
[inhales] I want you to think of a song.
- Any song.
- [car hoots at a distance]
Maybe it's a song that's playing on radio.
You hear it here and there,
or whatever the case might be,
but you don't know
who sings it and you don't care.
Can you think of that song?
- Yeah.
- Yeah.
- You got it?
- Yeah.
Right.
Now, I want you to think of another song.
But the difference with this song,
- [in Sotho] is that this one is great.
- Okay.
[in English] It's a nice song.
You like it, you know
who sings it, it plays all over.
In the taxis.
[in English] Everywhere you go, you hear
this song. Can you think of that song?
- Yeah.
- Cause I can think of that song.
- For me it's, "namhla senz'umlando," '.
- [students laugh]
[in Zulu] You see?
That's what I'm talking about.
[in English] So, I want you to think
of something, yeah? This is my analogy.
[in English] If you and your life,
were to be a song,
what song would you be?
Are you going to be
that song that nobody knows,
[in Sotho] who sings it,
and they don't care?
[in English] Or do you want to be
the second song,
where you know the lyrics?
Yeah, it's a nice song,
but you're not gonna go out and buy it.
Or are you going to be the final song?
Now that one is the evergreen.
You know what they call the evergreen?
A hit.
The reason I'm asking you this is,
- people like Nelson Mandela,
- [car hoots at a distance]
[in Zulu] like Oprah Winfrey,
- like Jay-Z.
- [cheering in unison]
[in English] How long will you guys
be talking about Jigga and Beyonce for?
Oh, forever.
- Years and years, right?
- Yeah.
Those are the sort of people that
history books are written about.
Those are luminaries that leave,
[in Sotho] legacies in the world.
[in English] History books are
written about people such as those.
It's all,
your choice.
[in Zulu] You know what, Sir.
We hear you, yeah?
But I wanna know one thing.
[in English] Where did you go to school?
[hmm]
- St John's.[laughs]
- [students laugh]
[in slang] Cheese boy. A rich kid.
[in Zulu] You see? So, you sit here
in a fancy suit and shoes,
[in English] and you want us
to believe your stories?
[in Zulu] Look at the watch
you're wearing. Am I lying, gents?
[in English] This watch can
buy groceries for the whole year.
- [students in agreement]
- Right?
[in Zulu] Sir, when I look at you,
[in English] I can see that you've never,
- ever in your life slept with hunger.
- How?
You don't know
how difficult it is to be us.
- [Themba] Really?
- [in Zulu] At home, I eat a slice of bread
and share the rest among five people.
- Five, my guy? Make that seven for me.
- [student1] You see?
I live with my grandmother
and grandfather. And my grandmother,
she's sick, you see. She has to take
20 pills a day to stimulate her
blood sugar.
Yeah, but my point is, umm
we don't have money. Everything goes
to my grandmother and her medication.
- [in English] Exactly that.
- [student2] Yeah.
We can't afford your luxuries.
[Student1 in Zulu] You eat chicken curry
everyday. We don't even get to eat rice.
When we eat rice it's a special day.
On Sunday, if we're lucky.
[in English] No, no
- [in Afrikaans] You must!
- You must, gents.
[in Sotho] You've started with your jokes.
What on earth is that?
- My man, it's cabbage.
- This guy.
[in Zulu] Even if there's no food at home,
there is always cabbage.
[in English] That's why they call it
- [in Afrikaans] "Julle moet."
- [laughter]
[in Sotho] You see, around here Sir,
the whole family uses a basin
to bathe. There are no showers.
- A little tub.
- Yeah, imagine.
[in English] So, you know
what I find interesting?
You look at me now and you think
this is what you see,
this is what I've always been.
[in Sotho] That "Julle moet"
you speak of, I know it.
- Using a small bath tub, I know that.
- Okay, cheese boy.
- Cheese boy.[chuckles]
- Careful now.
When you take that corner,
- the third house from the other corner,
- [student] Mm.
- The one without a fence,
- Yeah.
- [in English] with a tall tree?
- Yeah.
- [in Sotho] I grew up there.
- Come on, Sir. Don't play with us.
- [in English] We're not idiots.
- You can ask anybody here. I'm from here.
- [students laughing]
- Listen to these ones.
[student1 in slang] Not a chance.
[in English] No, I promise you.
That's where I grew up.
[slow beats music playing]
[bell ringing]
- [students shouting] Next game, Themba!
- Hey and talk about Themba's
big hits, man.
- Jesus. Wow.
- Themba.
- Gents, travel safely.
- You too.
- Aweh. Check you, bro. Thanks.
- We'll check you.
- Great game, Themba.
- Thank you.
- Check you next time.
- Cheers, my bro. Have a good one.
Have a good one, yeah?
- Hundreds, man.
- Aweh.
[Themba exhales loudly]
Congratulations again, bro.
Player of the season.
Thank you so much, bro.
What do you have there?
Oh, this little thing?
Oh, this is just a championship trophy.
- Trophy?
- Yeah.
Oh Themba, you're so modest and handsome.
With that,
flat and shiny hair of yours.
I tried mousse on,
- Jacob's hair
- Oh my gosh. Mom, stop, stop, stop.
You can't say that. That's offensive.
His' not really shiny and flat.
It's not offensive.
It's a compliment. I like his hair.
Thank you.
You can't say that.
Can we just go, please?
We can't just go
and leave him standing here.
Oh, don't worry. My mom is
a couple of minutes away, it's okay.
- Are you sure?
- Yeah, I'm fine. I'm good.
So, she's almost here.
Maybe she's just on African time.
- Yeah. African time.
- Geez, Mom. You can't say that.
You're embarrassing. Can we just go?
Alright, alright, we will leave.
You must excuse my son.
Sometimes
- Yeah.
- Yeah.
Yeah, no problem.
[in slang] Bye.
[melodic piano music playing]
- [Themba sighs]
- [car door closes]
[engine starts]
[birds chirping]
[beautiful piano music continues]
[cars hooting]
[upbeat music playing]
[man shouts]
[driver in Zulu] Hello, mama. You alright?
Are you and him travelling together?
- Yes, we're together.
- Okay. Two more people and we can leave.
[driver] Then we're off.
Yes. There, we have one more.
Yes, it's all coming together.
There we go.
Oh my word, what's this I see?
You're drop dead gorgeous.
What a beautiful woman.
I know you're probably sweet enough
on your own, but if we were,
to become one, you be mine and
I be yours, it would be a magical thing.
Here you go, princess.
[in English] Does that line ever work?
[in Zulu] Oh, what do you mean,
because I see you smiling.
[in English] Don't flatter yourself.
[in Zulu] What do you mean?
Flattery is real, and it works. Hmm?
Look at how a beautiful woman
like yourself is looking at me.
Your flattery won't get you anywhere.
Oh, how do you know? That's not true.
[crowd chattering at a distance]
I could sweep you off your feet and take
you to a place you've never been.
Here, let me show you.
[car hoots] [man shouts]
There you go.
If you'd please hold on to these for me.
There you go.
Let's go, guys. Let's go.
Excuse me, my sister.
Gosh, where is she going?
You just jumped in.
Get in anyway. Get in.
Get in, get in.
There we go.
- [rubbing hands]
- There we go.
That's it.
Well, get in, guys.
You've heard it all for yourselves.
Seeing as the pretty lady won't give me
her number, we aren't going anywhere.
- No, that's not right. We want to go.
- What does that have to do with us?
[passengers whispering]
My goodness, sis'.
We're late, we're tired and we want to go.
Give the man your number.
[in English] Well, I guess
we're not moving then because,
I'm not giving him my number.
- [in Zulu] Geez.
- [clap]
- Really now.
- [deep sigh]
Listen, sis.
Tell our sister over here that,
if we go home together, she might
like it a lot. I have plenty of cattle.
[in English] [sighs] He doesn't
understand English.
[in Zulu] So, he says pretty, pretty
please give him your number.
So, give him your number.
It's not as if you're a virgin, right?
[in English] Can he take care
of me? Is he romantic?
[in Zulu] She asked if you have money.
Tell her that won't be a problem.
My cattle is in abundance.
Money is no issue.
Tell her that I'll treat her well.
[murmuring] Tell her.
[in English] So apparently he owns
this rank and the mall next door
to this one.
- Hmm?
- Yeah.
Does he have kids? How many?
[in Zulu] She asked
if you can make babies.
What?
Tell her to relax. I have plenty
of children all over the township.
Huh? Back home.
I have lots of kids.
I'll give her kids, easily so.
He doesn't have kids.
He doesn't know
how to make kids. He's clean.
[in Zulu] Well, we're not going anywhere.
- Come on, sis'. Give him your number.
- [woman] Come on, sis'. I mean
I'm uncomfortable. Look at how I'm seated.
And you won't give him your number?
Should I give him mine?
Would you like mine?
- Hold on. [murmuring]
- Okay, fine.
[in English] 073
- [man in Zulu] I'm also writing them down.
- 073
Hey, you'll stay behind. I'll kick you out
of my vehicle. Whose number?
- Whisper.
- [in English] 324.
[whispering] 324.
- 7602.
- 7602.
- [phone dialing]
- [in Zulu] 7602. Alright, there we go.
- So, who's in a rush?
- Don't you want mine?
You're now ruining things for me.
- [woman] Let's get going.
- [engine starts]
[indistinct chatter]
[kwaito music playing]
Did you hear
Did you hear what
your neighbor was doing yesterday?
No, I didn't. Let's hear it.
[both exclaim]
Hello.
- Hello.
- Hello.
Gladys' boy is back.
Hhm
You know, he mustn't
go to prison like his brother.
[scoffs]
Let me go and tell them that he's back.
[slow guitar music playing]
[slow guitar music continues]
- [thud]
- [grunts]
[in English] Ma?
[guitar music continues]
[breathes heavily]
[clattering]
[sad piano tones playing]
[breathes heavily]
- [door bangs]
- [in Zulu] There we go.
The rain clouds are a sound...
- I guess I'm in for a good night.
- [laughing]
- Am I right?
- No, man. What are you doing?
- Here, put this in there.
- [both laughing]
[Themba clears throat]
[in English] Oh.
Hello, son.
[in slang] This is my son.
- How are you, boy. What's up?
- [in Sotho] Don't mess with me.
- Themba, I didn't raise you like that.
- I'm not your boy.
Say sorry.
- Who is this, Ma?
- I didn't raise you that way. Say sorry.
[in Zulu] My boy, your mother here,
lives off me.
She uses my money to buy drinks.
- But you know that money makes
- [in Sotho] Leave, my guy.
Yes, but you can't say
that in front of him.
My guy, leave before you get hurt.
- I must leave?
- Leave.
- I'm not until I get what I want.
- Huh?
- What now? What?
- Themba, man.
Out. Get out.
[door shuts]
[in English] How dare you, Themba?
How dare you?!
[shouts] How dare I?!
[in Sotho] In my father's house,
how dare I?
- Who? Whose house?
- My father, Jacob. Have you forgotten him?
- Your father's house?
- Yes, this is my father's house!
- Who are you talking about? My husband?
- Yes. My father, Jacob.
- Have you forgotten my father?
- My husband? This man?
[in English] Do you know who this man was?
Do you know who that is?
This man was a great man
who took care of me,
and you two boys.
[in Sotho] You know the whole township
thinks that my mother has lost her mind?
Talking about my mother the drunkard!
Saying that my mother is a whore!
A whore?
Speak!
[in English] What did you
just call me? Themba.
[tense music playing]
Who are you to sit there
and judge me, your mother?
When I raised you and your brother.
Where is your brother right now?
- Where's your brother?
- [in Sotho] In prison.
In prison. Do you want
to join him in prison?
The madness that you speak of,
[in English] do you know
that it feeds you?
[in Sotho] That's R200
you just chased away.
R200 that gets you to school.
R200 that
I send to your brother in prison!
[in English] Is that where
you want to end up?
Do you think I like doing, what I'm doing?
[in Sotho] Spreading
my legs for nasty men?
Men with pot bellies.
[in English] Is that what
you think I like doing?
The only thing that
you are worried about, Themba
[in Sotho] is your precious sushi,
and fancy brands.
Why don't you wake your father?
Wake him up and tell him
to buy you your brands. Adidas, Nike.
[in English] Whatever it is.
You see this man?
[banging]
He was the love of my life.
I miss your father, Themba.
I miss this man.
[sobs]
Themba, you're my only hope [cries]
To get out of this poverty.
You're my only hope.
That's why I called you Themba.
Even your name says it.
You're my only hope.
[in Sotho] I didn't mean
to disrespect you, Ma.
[Themba] I didn't mean to disrespect you.
[sniffles]
[sobs]
[in English] I'm sorry.
[sniffles]
[sobs]
[cries]
[soft music plays]
[kisses]
[car drives by at a distance]
[birds chirping]
[groans]
[children playing at a distance]
[condom wrappers crackling]
[crowd talking at a distance]
Guess who.
It can't be.
[exclaims]
- Hey.
- Hey, how are you doing, babe?
- [in Xhosa] I'm good and you?
- I'm good.
- [in English] Are you happy to see me?
- Of course I'm happy to see you.
I mean, you're only
the most handsome guy in the world.
[chuckles]
You know how to put
a smile on a man's face.
Oh, so you're a man now?
- I mean, you want me to show you here?
- Uh-uh, come on.
Oh, what? Are your parents
home for the weekend?
- Supposably.
- Supposedly.
Huh?
- You said supposably, it's supposedly.
- Come on, Themba.
[car hooting]
What up, boy?
- [both laughing]
- What it do, baby?
- My boy. My boy.
- Come on. Come on with it, king.
[in Sotho] Ah, my man.
[Themba chuckles]
- [in English] This is you? This is you?
- What up, baby? In the flesh.
- This is you?
- What's good?
- What's up, man?
- Easy.
- I'm easy. Don't call me that.
- What up, cheese boy?
Come on.
[in Zulu] What? What are you wearing.
Ey, you and your shirts, boy.
[in Sotho] My boy, this is Prada.
- Oh, it's Prada?
- You see it for yourself.
- [in Zulu] Ah! Hold on a second, boy.
- [chuckles]
Hey, mama.[hmm]
- [Themba in Sotho] What's going on?
- Kiss me here.
- Kiss me here.
- [Themba] No, man.
Kiss me.
Dude, what's up?
Palesa, what's going on?
Pale
My man.
[scoffs]
[in English] Palesa.
Madam President.
President.
You see, my boy? I've been telling you,
- Palesa.
- [in Zulu] Listen. Listen, boy.
I've been telling you
to forget about Palesa.
But you won't listen.
Huh?
You don't take me seriously.
I've been telling you,
to just forget about her.
- [in English] But you just don't listen.
- Palesa.
- Palesa.
- [in Zulu] Stop calling her name.
Stop calling her name.
You see, boy? Look at yourself
and look at Palesa.
You're ashy.
- You know what, you're full of shit.
- Oh, hey.
[chuckles wryly]
Huh?
Huh, now?
Yeah?
- Listen.
- [breathes heavily]
Let me tell you. This energy of yours,
- and that anger you're carrying,
- [breathes heavily]
You should use it to make money.
But you are being aggro for nothing.
You're at school busy
chasing after a ball, hmm?
You're busy studying chasing rugby balls
and being an oke.
[in English] I'm a oke.
[in Zulu] Stop doing that, my boy.
Let me tell you something.[chuckles]
I can give you something to channel
your energy into and make money.
You get me?
When you chase after balls all day,
[in English] you sweat.
The only sweat,
that I do, my boy,
is when I'm on top of her,
and then she's moaning for me.
- She's moaning for me.
- [breathes heavily]
You know how she moans, right?
You don't know how she moans?
[in Zulu] Okay, look. You know the
[imitates sex] pa-pa-pa-pa
You don't know it?
[in English] Ah, my boy.
You are an embarrassment.
[in Zulu] But don't worry, I got you.
You know what we'll do?
Later,
come through to the grill-house.
I'll set you up and show you how money,
is made by real hustlers
like Mlilo, The Fire. Yeah?
Come to Bahama, boy.
Hashtag it.[sighs]
Oh Pale Pale
Pale Pale
Pale my
Lovey
- Pale Pale
- [car door bangs]
Listen, kiss me over here.
- Let's go.
- [laughs]
Let the going get going.
Leave him.
[amapiano beats playing]
[in English] Yoh.
Now, That's wild. Nah, dude, that is wild.
Nah, bruh. That is not wild.
That is messed up, okay? Like
there's no way.
[in Sotho] That's why
I want nothing to do with girls.
You don't want them cause
they don't want you.
- Come on. Shut up. Why say that?
- They don't want you. What can you do?
- What will you do? I'm telling you.
- Shut up. Why must you say that?
Mind your language.
Hey, look. Watch your language.
So, what happened, Sir?
Dude, that's simple.
The man had no money,
so the girl kept it moving.
- Simple. Simple.
- It hurts, boy. It really hurts. That,
you're broke and they leave you
because you're broke.
Look. Think about it.
Remember when we were at school,
that boy was dumped
because he had no money?
- The boy with the cars. Remember him?
- Yeah, I remember him.
- Life is tough, my man.
- Life is tough.
Big bro, break it down.
What happened next?
[in English] Yeah, so,
[tuts] as angry as I was,
I decided to go back to the
grill-house later that night.
- Ah.
- [scattered laughs]
[deep bass upbeat music playing]
[man whistles]
[deep bass upbeat music continues to play]
[cars racing]
- [man whistling]
- [crowd cheering]
Oh, yeah. Oh, Themba.
My dawg. The man who causes trouble
at a wedding. What up, boy?
[in English] Hey,
I'm not doing this for you.
Let's just get it over and done with.
[mimicking] "I'm not doing
this for you. I'm just"
Relax, boy. Huh?
[in Zulu] Yo, please give us some swing.
Give us some room to operate.
Let me talk to my boy.
Come here, man. Relax, man. Huh?
What's up?
You see that brother over there?
The one I just asked for some space?
Yeah? You see him? Look at him.
Okay, stop looking. Relax, Themba.
You get me?
[in English] This is one
of my biggest clients.
But soon, he's going
to be your biggest client.
So, you must
get to know him very well. Get it?
[in Sotho] Your biggest client?
Are you selling ass?
[in Zulu] [stutters] Themba.
Themba, you'll
you'll raise my blood pressure, okay?
Yeah?
- I'm trying to help you here.
- You said he's your client.
Yeah. Enough about that.
You see this, boy? Look.
[in English] Look over here.
- Look over here.[chuckles]
- This guy.
You get me? Look.
So, this is what happens.
Every morning, yeah,
[in Zulu] we meet up here,
you get your bag, you hit the streets
you make us some money and come back.
Scratch my back,
I scratch yours. It's simple.
- [in English] You want me to sell drugs?
- Listen. Would you just shh.
[mimicking Themba]
"You want me to sell drugs?"
[in Zulu] Where do you think we are?
- So, now you're pushing the white?
- No, man. Relax.
[in English] Relax, man.
[in Sotho] You're making noise about
selling drugs. Hold on a minute.
Let me tell you. You see here?
We hustle and we live.
We're people that make plans to
- [man in English] What's up, gents?
- Yeah, yeah, yeah.
[in Zulu] You good?
- What's up?
- Yeah, so I have the sugar.
You have it here?
Don't whip it out now. Hold on. Damn.
Look, man. I'll be back.
[in English] Stay put. Look around.
Loosen up, Themba.
Huh? This is not the burbs.
[deep bass upbeat music continues to play]
[footsteps approaching]
Hey.
Hey?
[scoffs] That's all you're gonna say
after everything I've just found out?
I didn't mean for things
to pan out this way.
[in Xhosa] Please understand.
[in English] Understand?
I understand. I understand, alright.
[in Sotho] I understand
that I'm a fool and you're clever.
[in English] I understand
that I'm not a thug and I
have no money.
Themba, it's not that black and white.
- Oh, it's not?
- [Palesa] No.
I love you.
[scoffs]
Please.
Humor me.
I do.
It's just that sometimes
money just isn't enough.
I mean, look around you.
[in Xhosa] Look at the people here.
Look at these girls.
I also want to look beautiful.
[in English] I also want a weave
and to get my nails done.
[in Xhosa] But I can't because
my parents are unemployed.
[in English] And my older
sister's in varsity.
[scoffs]
So, that's your excuse
to sleep with my best friend?
It's not like that.
[man1] Uh
it's all there.
As if you have a choice.
Uh [chuckles]
[in Zulu] Bra Ceasar,
you know I'd never cross you.
[in English] You know, ever since you
started hanging with that young chick,
you've gone soft on me.
Do I need to replace you?
No, no, no.
There's absolutely no reason to
[inhales] to replace me.
Good. Good.
Now get out of my face.
Oh, yeah. Your face, yeah. [clears throat]
Yeah, yeah. Sure, Bra Caesar.
[Themba] What's it like?
Tell me.
[inhales deeply]
Themba[inhales]
[Palesa in Xhosa] You don't know what it's
like sleeping hungry. Finding a piece job.
[in English] Having to clean up
after people. Doing people's laundry.
[in Xhosa] Doing people's
hair just to survive.
How would you know because
you're in boarding school?
With high walls and electric fences.
You eat whatever you want to eat.
[in English] Look.
I'm not judging you, okay?
Hello, lovers. Ex lovers.
#You'reMyGirlNow. You good?
[in Zulu] Please give us some space mammy.
Let talk man to man with my boy, yeah?
[excited noises]
Yes now.
Give me space to talk to Themba, alright?
Sure thing, the boys.
So, as I was saying. You see?
[in English] Tomorrow morning,
you come through,
[in Zulu] I give you your stuff you
hit the streets and start running. Yeah?
Yeah?
[in English] Loosen up, man.
Loosen up. [laughs]
[in Zulu] Huh? You've got
so much tension. Rato!
Please come here, my lovey.
Come here, Rato.
[in English] This is my friend, Themba.
- Yeah.
- And Themba has got so much tension.
[in Sotho] Please help him out.
Get him to stop being tense.
- [in English] Anything for you, baby.
- Anything for me, and anything for,
- Themba. Come on.
- Hi. How are you?
- I'm okay.
- Do you wanna give mommy a kiss?
Ah, thank you.
[in slang] Good Lord.
Hey, you. Thick mama.
- What's up? Hey, hey, hey. Relax. Relax.
- [in English] Focus.
Hey, hey, hey. Focus.
Hey, focus.
Thank you, my dear.
You see?
And that's where things went wrong.
Horribly wrong.
[cutlery clink]
So, you see I was desperate,
looking for ways to make money
and help my mother.
It was going towards Christmas and I also
wanted nice clothes. You know
Everybody buys new clothes for Christmas.
I wanted to be like all the other kids.
And I wanted to help
my mother, so I took a job.
[hmph]
- Selling drugs on the corner for
- [student1] Joh.
[in Zulu] for Mlilo.
[in English] You know,
I was surprised how much money,
I could make so quickly. Within one week
I had bought everything I wanted.
From clothes, you name it.
I had it all in one week.
[rap music playing]
Only to find that the cops,
had that very corner
where I was selling drugs,
under surveillance for a long time.
[students exclaim]
And just my luck,
that one fateful day
[cutlery clink]
[hmph]
[rap music continues]
[car approaching]
Just hold on a minute.
- [in slang] Hi.
- Hi.
[in Zulu] Aweh, hold on.
Let me sort her out.
- My sister, how are you? I'm good.
- I'm good. You?
Hook me up with the stuff.
No problem.
[rap music continues playing]
- [sirens wailing]
- [car engine revving]
- [dogs barking]
- [sirens wailing]
Hey, stop him!
[cop shouting in English]
Turn around! The other side!
- [rap music continues]
- [sirens wailing]
[dog barking at a distance]
[sirens wailing]
[crowd shouting at a distance]
- [Themba] Everybody down! Down!
- [shop alarm triggers]
- [gunshots]
- Down!
Hey!
[tense music playing]
You look like a nice young man, okay?
I just want to talk to you.
Just put the gun down.
- We'll talk. No one needs to get hurt.
- Hey. Hey.
[in slang] Fuck off.
- We'll just talk.
- Fuck off!
- [in Sotho] You hear me?
- Okay, put it down.
- [in English] Put it down.
- Oh, you won't listen?
[in Sotho] You don't listen.
[screaming]
- I'll kill her. I swear, I'll kill her!
- No, man. Hey.
- I'll kill her. I'll blow her brains out.
- [in English] Okay. Okay.
Get out!
- [in English] Just calm down.
- [in Zulu] Shut up! Get out!
- [in English] Don't hurt her.
- Fuck off!
- [sirens wailing]
- [tires screeching]
It's a hostage situation.
Tango Kilo 13. Tango Kilo 13,
come in. It's Tango Kilo 11.
[man over radio] Tango Kilo 11, go ahead.
Yeah, I need back up.
I have a hostage situation.
A young man, armed and dangerous.
What's your 03?
My 03 is, Vukani Kwa-ThemaSpaza Shop
on Tyolweni Street.
- Back up is on the way.
- I copy that.
[woman whimpering]
[in Sotho] Close the door. Lock the door.
Lock the door, old man!
- Don't do this, my boy.
- [woman whimpers]
- Don't do this.
- Hey, fuck you. Move it.
Mama, come around.
I'm watching you. Come around.
Come, mama. Come.
Come.
Oh my word.
[whimpering]
My boy, let's talk.
Let's talk, my boy.
This is not the time. Come.
[Woman continues to whimper]
[screams]
No, man. Come on. [in English] Everyone
Uh hands up! Hands up!
You see, boys?
Some of the greatest lessons in life,
come from the hardest times in your life.
- They'll make a man out of you.
- [car hoots]
Go down, and
[in Sotho] make a circle.
I said form a circle. Form a circle!
Go around. Go around.
No, wait a minute.
- Get into the corner.
- Yes, we're in the corner.
Keep still.
- [screams]
- [sirens wailing]
[disturbing music playing]
Are... Are you laughing?
Are you laughing?
Is this funny?
Huh?
You don't know what's going on.
You don't know what you are doing.
[in English] I know what I'm doing.
- No, you don't.
- Yes, I do.
[in Sotho] If you knew
what you were doing, you
you wouldn't look like a mouse
running around in a trap, my boy.
[in English] I know what to do next.
What I need to do, I
- I
- [in Sotho] You don't know. Listen
- [in English] I know!
- Okay. Okay.
[in Sotho] What I have to do next is uhm
- [in English] I just
- You don't know what you're doing, boy.
- [sirens wailing]
- [in Sotho] You hear that?
- It's all of you, you're the problem!
- Wait, listen. Listen. Okay.
I'd suggest you go and speak to the cops.
[in English] Negotiate
[in Sotho] your demands with them, my boy.
And if they agree then good. If they don't
agree, then you can shoot.
Bang, bang, bang.
- You can shoot her, plus she loves men.
- No.
- Hey.
- No, man.
- You can't talk like that.
- This boy won't do anything.
- He's scared. He
- Hey! Hey!
- But he's got a gun.
- And I'll use it right now.
- You'll use it, my boy?
- Now. Now.
[man2 in English] You want
to know what I think?
Huh?
I'll tell you what I think.
[in Sotho] I think
you don't know who you are.
- You don't know yourself.
- What?
[man2] Who are you, my boy?
This is Gladys
and Jacob Tshabalala,'s son.
[in English] No, I know the boy.
I know this boy.
[in slang] He's Shengu's son.
Yeah.
You're Mavuso's son.
[in English] Do you know who you are?
[in Sotho] I know your dad.
Your dad was an orphan.
He raised five of his siblings.
- Don't talk nonsense about my dad.
- Listen, your dad was a hustler.
Your dad did amazing things.
He lived in a four room house.
Exactly, your dad treated that four room
house like a ten bedroom Sandton house.
Hold on. That man worked
too hard for you to do this.
You know he worked hard.
Why
- Why are you talking like my mother?
- Don't even mention your mother.
Your mother was heart broken
when your dad passed away.
Yes.
She even started drinking.
She got into depression
but she overcame it.
And she made sure that,
[in English] you have food on the table,
my boy. You can't do this.
- You can't do this, boy.
- [Themba inhales]
Do you know who you are?
I can see your father in your eyes,
my boy. Your father was a hero. A mentor.
[in Sotho] Your father mentored
a lot of people. The likes of
Joe Nina. Yes. Joe Nina.
What's that Bucie song?
- [in English] Will you be my
- Superman.
- No, man, it's superhero!
- Superman.
The likes of Xolani Jwaga.
You name them. Kagiso Modupe.
[in Sotho] He's a director now.
Mentored by your father, my boy. Mshengu!
- Mshengu.
- [man2] Come on. Mshengu.
Yeah.
[in English] Don't do this
to yourself, man.
[man2 in Sotho] I mean, your dad, my boy,
if he were to see you from wherever he is
[in English] You know, the danger with
what you're doing is that,
[in Sotho] you'll land in trouble.
You young boys get into trouble,
because you don't know your roots.
[in English] You need to know
who you are, my man.
You need to know your identity
and it's not you pointing guns at us.
[in Sotho] You will hurt us.
You should be big, man.
Maybe a team captain, like Siya Kolisi.
Yeah!
Don't piss on your future like this.
Huh, my boy?
- Speaking of which. I need to take a piss.
- [Themba] No, no, no.
- Let me go piss.
- [Themba] Everyone down.
- [in English] Everyone down now! Now!
- [woman screams]
- Now.
- Okay.
[gasping] Shit.
[in Sotho] My boy
[Themba gasping]
[sirens wailing]
- [in English] It's okay, it's okay.
- [heavy breathing]
[in English] Oh, fuck.
[in Sotho] Papa, please help me.
Please help me, Papa.
[woman whimpers]
- [sirens approaching]
- [somber instrumental music playing]
[breathing heavily]
[indistinct chatter]
[in English] Okay, Maduwe,
what do we have here?
I'm not sure. I thought we'd keep it
safe until we can confirm his location.
Okay.
- [in Zulu] Hello, everyone.
- Hello, sis'.
- What's going on inside there?
- There are hostages inside there.
- Okay.
- So it means you have to stay over there.
Okay.
[birds chirping]
[footsteps fading]
[indistinct]
[in English] Okay. A young man.
He's armed, about 20, could be older.
About four hostages,
not sure, they could be more.
I think, if we come in from both sides
and we just lie low until
we're sure of his position.
- We good?
- We good.
[sirens wailing]
[crowd chattering at a distance]
[woman laughing at a distance]
[in Sotho] You know, my boy.
[in English] This won't end well.
[clears throat] Huh?
[in Sotho] No, you heard me, son.
You know, you're such a handsome man.
And your future is bright.
Do you know how many young men would love
to go to that expensive school of yours?
[laughs]
[in English] You know what?
That's the thing.
Because I go to an expensive school
people think I don't have any problems.
Not understanding that your problems
are expensive.
You don't know what it feels like, Mama.
You don't know
what it feels like to pretend
[in Sotho] like you're rich,
knowing very well,
[in English] that you're poor.
You don't know what it feels like,
being teased about your sense of style.
[in Sotho] One look and they can tell
that your clothes are fake.
They can tell your clothes are fake.
[in English] You don't
know how it feels like,
to be reminded everyday
that you don't belong.
One can't even enjoy a simple ham
and cheese sandwich because,
[in Sotho] I know that my mother,
probably had no food on that day.
If she did, it was a crust.
Crust
from the pap she made the previous day.
While I'm having ham and cheese.
I can't even enjoy it.
You don't know what it's like
after school these kids get picked up,
by luxury cars. In the morning
they get dropped off, while I,
[in English] "You, you must wake up
at the crack of dawn"
Get on three taxis and then climb a bus,
and then still walk
another three kilometers,
to get to school.
And when I get to school the teachers all,
have the gall to say, you're such a good
student because you're here on time.
[in Sotho] They don't know that I,
am just hiding the shame,
of my situation at home.
[in English] Oh, sports days
are my favorite. [laughs]
[sucks teeth]
[in Sotho] I become the star.
The White folk celebrate me.
They hand me trophies. They make me,
[in English] the man of the match.
Player of the season!
[in Sotho] All of my teammates parents
came to support them, but me,
[in English] not even one day.
[in Sotho] You know, Mama.
In the townships
[in English] when you try
and do something good,
[in Sotho] people get jealous.
Nobody celebrates you.
[in English] But when there's a loss,
[in Sotho] like you now.
[splutters in English] My boy. Boy
They're so quick,
to gather when someone is losing.
But you're never there,
to celebrate their wins.
[in Sotho] So forgive me, Mama. I'm tired.
I'm tired.
I also want to be a child.
I also want to be a child.
I'm burdened.
I'm tired.
I'm tired.
My child, you need to have that,
you need to have a,
- [in English] "So what" attitude.
- So what? [in Sotho] What are you saying?
You know
[in English] Do you know why
you're so tired and bothered?
It's because you've filled your heart,
mind and soul with,
so much unnecessary pressure.
[in Sotho] Papa, as people,
sometimes we do things just,
to impress other people.
- And that's exactly what you're doing.
- It's hard, Mama.[cries]
- I know.
- It's hard.
Don't focus on things
you don't have. But focus
on what you do have, my son.
And so what if your friends,
get dropped off in luxury cars?
It's not theirs, it's their parents cars.
Look,
these clothes of yours,
it doesn't matter if they're fake or not.
Those expensive brands are for them.
Their parents bought those for them.
They're not theirs, man.
[man2] I'm sorry to do this, my boy.
Not to sound awful, but,
fake clothes are unacceptable.
- You can't be wearing Apple Mac jeans.
- [woman1] Come on, Wes.
- Wes, stop it.
- Sorry to interrupt.
I just wanted to lighten the situa
- Stop it.
- Okay, I'll stop.
My goodness, Wes.
[in English] As long as you're covered,
and you're warm.
[in Sotho] And the fact that your
mother doesn't attend your sports games
- Don't worry about it. I know.
- But it hurts. It hurts.
Papa, I know,
but it's still a celebration.
You're still a winner and nothing changes.
Right? The achievement is still the same.
Sometimes you should put
the beautiful things you have,
in front of you,
and remember that at least
you have a little something. Okay, my boy?
- Do you understand me?
- Yes, Ma.
Yes, I hear you.
One day,
[in English] you'll look back at this day
and feel so stupid,
[in Sotho] that you ever doubted yourself.
[somber music continues to play]
Look, you haven't gotten there yet.
You hear me, my boy?
I know you're not
where you want to be yet.
But where you are right now,
- [in English] it's beautiful too.
- [exhales]
[in Sotho] And you can't
even see the beauty,
[in English] because you're obsessed
with where you're not.
[in Sotho] Sometimes just let life be.
[crowd chattering at a distance]
[woman2] Let everything
just fall into place.
You must just relax.
You hear me, my boy?
[Palesa crying]
[Palesa whimpers]
[student1] I'd like to know,
[in English] why was she
crying if she wronged you?
[in Zulu] I won't even lie. If it was me
- I was going to slap her.
- [others laugh]
- Like this. Finished.
- No, whoa.
She's disrespectful. Imagine, boy.
[in English] See, that response is exactly
what society expects of us as Black men.
And it is now time for you young men
to change this stereotype.
It's time for you guys
to change this narrative.
We don't own women,
we have no right to beat them.
When a woman says no, she means no.
[birds chirping]
I mean, look at me and Palesa.
She rejected me at the most
vulnerable point in my life.
Did I go mad?
Did it hurt?
Yes, it hurt.
But guess what?
I took it and made something,
out of it for my own life.
For my own benefit.
So, when a woman breaks up with you,
or does things that you don't like,
prove her wrong.
Don't be that guy.
Always remember it's not always about you.
Sometimes,
there's just things going on in her life
and your timing is wrong.
Hmm?
Sometimes she's not feeling you.
And another girl will feel you.
Sometimes you must just wait,
and what is meant to be will be.
- [speaking Spanish] Que sera, sera.
- [in English] Whatever will be, will be.
[Themba] Whatever will be, will be.
[in Sotho] You know it.
- Where did you learn Spanish from?
- It's not Spanish. It's Greek. Sorry.
[All laugh]
- [in English] Whatever will be, will be.
- Remember that.
[in Sotho] [stutters] What is it? Que
- Nada.[laugh]
- Nada?[laugh]
[speaking Spanish] Que sera, sera.
[in English] Whatever will be will be
The future is not ours to see
[in Spanish] Que sera, sera. Uh-huh. You
must go to church, you'll get it there.
[students laughing]
[Themba] Huh-uh.
[in Sotho] No ways. Not you.
Not you, you little whore.
You're crying?
Huh?
She's [chuckling]
- She's faking to cry. You see her?
- Themba. Themba, Themba, Themba.
No, man.
[chuckles] Huh?
[in English] You know,
I wasted four years,
- of my life.
- [sniffles]
I gave you four years.
I loved you.
- Yes, maybe I,
- [sniffles]
Did not own,
a droptop.
[Themba laughs]
Maybe I was not a thug.
[laughs]
But the little that I had,
I gave to you.
Yes, I couldn't take you
on expensive dinner dates,
[in Sotho] but I could hustle
and get you a bunny chow.
[in English] That's the best I could do
from the bottom of my heart. I could,
hustle and at least take you
out to the movies. See, for me,
the main thing was sentiment.
Meaning.
Being genuine.
I'm not where I want to be as a man
but I'm working towards it.
I guess, I just wanted
a Bonnie to my Clyde.
I wanted a ride or die.
- [sniffles]
- And you decided to ride away
[chuckles]
In a droptop.
[sniffles] [sighs]
[in Sotho] You know,
I can actually see that,
you're your mother's daughter.
She's her mother's daughter.
Themba, that's not true.
- Huh?
- [sniffles]
I said, you're your mother's daughter.
- I don't know what that means.
- That means
your mother raised a bitch.
[cries]
A slut. You're a low-lying bitch that I,
- went and gave my whole life to.
- [Palesa shouting] Okay, Themba!
[man3] No, man.
[Palesa whimpering]
[in Sotho] What are you doing?
What are you doing?
[in English] Do you know this song?
[soft music playing]
This is the kind of song
that transcend,
races,
nationalities and generations.
Your children,
and your children's children
will be listening to this song,
way
after you're gone, son.
And next time
when you want to lay a hand on a woman,
ask yourself one thing.
What kind of a song,
do you want to be?
Do you want to be that kind of a song,
when people look at you and say
[in Sotho] No
don't tell us about Themba.
[in English] He's a wife-beater,
or do you want people to say,
Themba,
[in Sotho] loved his family.
He loved his wife,
and took care of his kids.
Huh?
Do you want people to say,
don't tell us about Themba,
[in English] he was arrested
for killing women.
Or do you want them to say,
Themba was protective,
of women.
My boy, ask yourself a question.
Are you going to be,
a killer,
or a healer?
Are you going to be a nation builder,
or a nation destroyer?
Is your song going to be, my boy,
one that will be sung
through history?
Nelson Mandela was that song.
Oliver Tambo was that song.
Robert Sobukwe was that song.
Walter Sisulo was that song.
Jacob Tshabalala,
your father was that song.
So, do you want your life to be a song,
worth singing, my boy?
[in Sotho] My boy
[in English] I was once,
a broken man.
But I chose to be a different song.
You know, at some point in my life,
I used to be an abusive man.
I used to abuse this,
this Black queen.
My Angie.
Baby
I'm sorry.
I'm still sorry. I didn't know,
any better then.
And I will never stop apologizing to you.
[emotional instrumental music playing]
[man3] in slang] My boy.
[in English] When you have
to change your life,
you almost face it like
you're an addict or an alcoholic.
One day at a time. And one day at a time
for over 30 years is what I've been doing.
Just to make sure,
that I become a better man.
I was six years old, my boy,
when my father,
left our family.
[in Zulu] My mother,
made sure that we slept
on full stomachs. But sometimes,
we slept on empty stomachs.
But she worked,
just like your mother.
Ma Glad. So, my boy,
[in English] you still
have an opportunity,
[in Zulu] to decide what kind of a man,
[in English] do you want to be?
[hmm]
[emotional instrumental music playing]
[in Sotho] Right now,
[in English] it's your opportunity,
it is for you,
to choose.
You have an opportunity
to become a role model.
So that the whole community and millions,
of people,
to look up to you.
[in Sotho] So, my boy.
[in English] You still
have an opportunity,
to decide what kind of a man,
[in English] do you want to be.
[in Sotho] You're crying?
- You're crying? No. No.
- Shh.
[in English] Men don't cry.
[in Sotho] Geez.
- You can't point a gun at us and cry.
- [man3] Come on, Wes.
- Come on, Wes.
- No, no, no.
- No. The man must fix this thing!
- [man3] Wes.
[man3] Something happens, my guy
[in English] when a man cries.
Something really happens.
The heart softens a bit.
[in Sotho] I think it's
actually the opposite.
[in English] It's a sign of strength,
my boy.
Yes, my boy. It is not a sign of weakness.
[in Sotho] Do you hear
what I'm saying, my boy?
[in English] Because in that vulnerability
there is strength.
Vulnerability, my boy,
vulnerability my boy is,
the new strength.
When tears flow they soften,
a frozen heart.
They make it melt.
[tense music playing]
I'm so sorry.
[Palesa sobs]
Please forgive me.
I just let my situation turn
me into something I'm not.
I'm not even into material things.
[in Xhosa] And I don't want those things
anymore, Themba.
[cries] [sniffles]
Please forgive me. And we could,
[in English] we could start over
and I could be better.
[cries]
[in Xhosa] I don't want those things and
I don't want us to be another statistic.
[in English] You and I
could just start afresh.
[in Xhosa] We can have a new beginning.
[in English] We can help each other.
I could be better, you could be better.
[sobbing]
[in Xhosa] Please just forgive me.
I beg of you, Themba.
[in English] I'm so sorry.
[sniffles] Please.
[whispering] Please.
[romantic song playing]
I've got to take this.
Sorry, just hold on.
- [phone beeping]
- Oh, hello, my love.
Hello, my love. How are you?
Same old, same old. But more importantly,
- how's it going there in London?
- [in Sotho] It's freezing here.
[in English] The summit is going well.
I did a presentation and they loved it.
They literally lapped up,
the Honey Black Girls.
[tuts]I think we gonna get this one.
Oh! That's fantastic news.
I'm proud of you.
Well, it really feels good, you know,
to be recognized for my own hard work.
Not because of who I am,
or who I'm married to.[chuckles]
I'm really happy for all
your progress. You've done well.
I'm proud of you.
And so next time
when I'm working on an international
campaign I don't wanna hear that,
"Close your laptop
and come to bed early". Right?
Eh. Well, yeah.
Okay.[chuckles]
You say that now.
Well, you can't blame
a man for trying. Can you?
Listen, I have to go.
I love you.
I love you.
Bye.
[kisses]
Okay, before you get excited,
that was my wife.
The same Palesa
who was crying there in the shop.
That's my wife.
Yeah, I told you.
[in Sotho] Stop pointing at me.
[phone ringing]
Whose phone is that? Yours?
[in English] Don't you dare.
- Hey, hey, hey.
- [screams]
- [in Sotho] Ma Angie, you too?
- Oh, okay.
Fuck. Give me your phones, right now!
- Put them in here!
- [man2] Sure.
[in English] Boy boy, take it easy.
- [in Sotho] Easy, my boy. Easy, Themba.
- [man2] Here are the cellphones.
- Easy, my boy. Easy, Themba.
- Come this side.
Must I put them here?
[phone vibrating]
Sure, my boy. I'm sorry, boy.
Themba, easy.
- You, where's your phone?
- Take it easy.
- We have no phones on us.
- I have nothing.
Whose is that?
- Is it you?
- No.
- [phone continues vibrating]
- Whose phone is ringing?
- It's
- Where is it?
Gosh.
It's the boy who
I'm watching you.
Sure.
Hey, boy. Fuck off.
- Who the hell is this?
- [man2] Take it easy.
- Come. Move it.
- Themba, Themba. Don't do that.
Are you a snitch, boy?
- Themba. Themba.
- I will kill this boy. Who is this?
- Who's this? Come here.
- His name is Gift.
Are you a snitch?
- Did you call the cops?
- No, it wasn't me.
- Then who was it?
- Take it easy, man.
- Wait
- Come over here.
- He's a student from Wits.
- Okay, okay.
- Come here. Okay, okay.
- He works here.
He's a Wits student.
And he's doing his second year of BCom.
Did he call the cops?
No, he works here.
He only works,
during school holidays.
Yes. He works here and then
- [stutters] He's an orphan.
- An orphan. Who cares? Get over there.
- Yoh.
- No, man. No.
- No, man. Themba, no.
- Themba, Themba, Themba.
- Relax.
- Geez. Sorry, boy.
[cop in English over radio]
Themba Tshabalala.
This is the police.
You are surrounded.
You have nowhere to go.
Please come out with
your hands behind your head.
Ah
[in Sotho] Did you hear that?
- Themba, no!
- Themba, don't do that! [screaming]
[Dramatic music plays]
[in English] One of the suspects who is
doing his last year in high school,
has been on the police watch list,
as one of the people
who was selling drugs.
He was immediately caught
red handed earlier this afternoon.
And he immediately fled the scene
as soon as the police approached him.
So far, no one has been reported injured,
or actually reported dead.
We'll bring you more updates
as the situation unfolds.
I'm Thembi Mrototo,
and this is BKN News.
[in Sotho] Boy, look.
We don't know each other.
Look me in the eyes. Please.
My guy,
we don't know each other.
You don't owe me a thing
but can I tell you a story?
- Before you do what you're about to do
- Do you think I have time for stories?
- [man3] Themba! Themba!
- No.
But can I tell you still? Please.
[in English] Five years ago,
I also lost my superhero.
[in Sotho] My dad.
Just like you, Themba.
I was also raised in the township.
Right here in this hood.
But I went to Springs Boys High.
So,
my dad used to work as a delivery man.
And every time after school,
he'd pick me up
and drive back to the hood.
[in English] Okay?
So, this one time
when my dad came to pick me up,
he sees this old,
frail man,
[in Sotho] hitchhiking on
the side of the road.
As he was hitchhiking,
my dad decides to give him a lift,
because he seemed harmless.
He got into the car
and he was carrying this big bag.
[in English] So, because,
[in Sotho] he wanted to know,
my dad asked him where he was going.
And the man said,
he's taking his dog to the vet.
[in English] So, because my dad
is the type of man who,
called a spade a spade.
[in Sotho] He told the man,
[in English] what I'm going to advise
you is to save your money,
and just bury this dog.
Save your money,
and bury this dog.
But this old man insisted and he said no.
[in Sotho] He's going to town
and he's taking his dog,
[in English] to the vet.
[in Sotho] So, my father dropped him off,
[in English] and he came to Springs,
picks me up,
[in Sotho] and on our way back home
my dad decides to drive past town,
to check on the old man.
As we drove, we passed by the park
and I remember him slowing down.
[in English] And I looked in the direction
that he was looking,
and I remember there was an old man
just sitting there and holding,
[in English] a doggy toy.
[in Sotho] And instantly my dad starts
saying I knew it. I told that old man.
[in English] And then,
this man throws the toy,
and out of nowhere, boom,
a beautiful,
bouncy,
healthy dog just goes after it.
[Themba exhales]
[in Sotho] And I remember my dad saying,
Gift, come. Let's go to him.
[in English] We go to the old man,
and I'll never forget
what this man said to my dad.
[sighs]
[in Sotho] It's actually kind of funny.
This pastor reminded me last week.
[in English] This old man
said to my dad. Themba.
- [in Sotho] Don't touch me.[growls]
- I'm sorry.
He said to my dad, I told you
that the dog is not dead yet.
Themba, please listen to me carefully.
Themba. Themba.
- Themba. Themba. Themba. Please, boy.
- Don't touch me.
Listen carefully.
[in English] The dog,
- is not dead, yet.
- [gasps]
- Themba, Themba, Themba!
- [woman shouting] Oh no.
Themba! Themba! Themba! No!
[man3 in Sotho] Themba. Please, boy.
- Themba.
- [in English] Themba, the dog
- Themba, boy. The dog is not dead yet.
- [exhales]
[in Sotho] Themba, please.
Listen to me, boy.
[in English] The dog,
is not dead yet.
Themba.
The dog,
is not dead yet.
The dog,
- is not dead, yet.
- [breathes heavily]
[sad piano music playing]
[birds chirping]
[door opening]
[man3 chattering]
- [in Zulu] Where's this boy? Come.
- He's right here.
Come, damn it.
[man2 in English] Whoa, whoa, whoa.
Alright, alright.
Alright. Let's form
a human shield around him.
Just form a human shield around him.
Okay.
[in Zulu] My people.
May I please have a word with you?
You know
[Themba breathing heavily]
I'd especially like to talk
[radio beeps]
To the men.
You know, men, these young boys,
these young boys,
need us
to protect them.
We need to teach them how to become men.
So they can be honorable men.
Do you hear me, gents?
And another thing I want to say,
you know what,
[in English] our households
have got fewer men.
[in Zulu] And I'm telling you, gents,
[in English] the impact,
- yes the impact,
- [Themba breathing heavily]
Of an absent father,
[in Zulu] it affects a family
and the generations to come.
So, gents, let us do better.
Do you hear me? Let us do better.
I know that we're all facing
challenges in our families,
but, gentlemen
[in English] know one thing,
I am no different.
[in Zulu] But what I want to say,
is that we need to stand on our feet,
and raise these boys to become real men.
Let us help them, gentlemen.
Let us help them manage their anger.
So they can stop
using drugs. Do hear me?
[in English] Let us help them
to build self-respect.
And to add to that, Bra Mac. Uhm
[stutters]
Fellow South Africans
media at large, everyone
uhm
Let's help these young men to
to be better members of society.
Okay?
[in Sotho] And let's teach them to be,
[in English] to take care of our women.
[in Sotho] Right, my boy?
I thank you. I thank you.
Let's protect our women.
[in English] Please.
[in Sotho] The fact that,
[in English] you're still alive,
is a blessing.
[radio beeps]
[in Sotho] Some are in prison.
Some are dead.
Some are in hospitals.
There's a better way, my boys.
[in English] There's a better way.
I know many have written you all off.
Including your own family members.
- But trust me
- [Themba sniffles]
I believe in you.
[in Sotho] I have faith in you, my boys.
I know that you're going to succeed.
[in English] Your destinies
were written a long time ago.
And it was decided a long time ago that,
[in English] you are going to succeed.
You are going to win.
Show these people.
[in Sotho] Show them that
you come from a good lineage.
[in English] You're intelligent young men.
And you're not just
doing it for yourselves.
You're doing it for your ancestors.
The ones that paved the way for you.
And even for generations to come.
It's your life.
Own it, take it, run with it!
[crowd cheering]
[in Zulu] And to you, law officials
I'd like to apologize.
I know maybe you're thinking that,
we're wasting your time,
or that we're wasting
the government's resources.
But this matter,
of these young men, to us,
it is a huge crisis.
- Seeing these young men going astray,
- [car hooting]
And killing themselves,
doesn't sit well with us.
So, I'm really sorry, guys.
And to the community,
I'd like to apologize
on behalf of this boy.
Let's forgive him.
He made a mistake.
We all make mistakes.
And, my boy,
in life,
we learn,
from our mistakes. Do you hear me?
[in English] We learn
from our mistakes.
To add to that, Bra Mac uh
- don't make the same mistake twice.
- Yeah.
I thank you.
It takes a village to raise a man.
- Yeah.
- [in Zulu] That's right, sis'.
Here's another thing, my boy.
In life,
[in English] you reap what you sow.
So, you have to go and face,
the consequences of your actions.
- [in Zulu] Do you hear me, my boy?
- Yes.
[in English] But just know one thing,
you can live better without going to jail.
Make your life better, my boy.
[in Zulu] Change, my boy.
- Do you hear me?
- Yes.
[in English] But for now,
you have to face the
consequences of your actions, my boy.
[in Zulu] Be a man.
[man4] Let's raise our hands.
[in English] I want to speak a blessing
over your life, son.
[in Xhosa] May your neighbors,
give your respect
so your problems don't weigh on you.
[in English] May God, your ancestors
and your angels guide and protect you.
[man in crowd responds]
May the heavens accept you one day.
May you have strength,
to urge the sun to rise. When it doesn't,
you rise, son.
[in Xhosa] Don't be scared, son.
[in English] You are not alone.
Just look around you.
[emotional vocal music playing]
There's still a chance
that the dog,
is not dead yet.
[in Xhosa] Amen. May the Lord
guide and protect you.
[man3] The dog is not dead yet.
[in English] The dog is not dead yet.
The dog is not dead yet.
[crowd chanting] The dog is not dead yet.
The dog is not dead yet.
The dog is not dead yet.
- The dog is not dead yet.
- [man chattering]
The dog is not dead yet.
The dog is not dead yet.
The dog is not dead yet.
The dog is not dead yet.
The dog is not dead yet.
- The dog is not dead yet.
- [crying]
The dog is not dead yet.
The dog is not dead yet, son.
The dog is not dead yet.
[emotional vocal music continues]
[siren wailing]
[man3] This is the kind of song, my boy
that transcends race,
nationality, generations.
Where you are right now is beautiful too.
Mshengu. Mshengu. Do you know who you are?
[Palesa in Xhosa] Themba,
please forgive me. I'm so sorry.
[boy in English] The dog is not dead yet.
[mom] Themba, you're my only hope.
That's why I called you Themba.
Even your name says it.
[sad music playing]
[Indistinct chatter]
[sad music continues to playing]
[man5] Themba Tshabalala.
[in Zulu] Your time has arrived.
[reporter in English] It is judgment day
here at the Springs Magistrate Court.
You will remember
a few weeks ago the accused,
whom we have now identified
as Themba Tshabalala,
has been charged guilty,
for drug dealing and kidnapping.
The judge has postponed the matter to
hear both arguments
from the defense and the state.
He was both convicted
for both the charges.
We are now standing by to hear
all the news, because today,
is judgment day.
[crowd whispering]
[murmurs]
[door opening]
All rise.
Okay, we may all be seated, please.
Could we please have
Mr. Themba Tshabalala?
[crowd cheering]
- Order.
- [whistling and cheering]
- Thank you. Order.
- [shouts and whistles die down]
Mr. Tshabalala, this court has found
you guilty of holding people hostage
and threatening violence.
And of,
aggravating violence.
And after careful consideration,
and listening to arguments
from both the defense and state
in mitigation and aggravation,
of the sentence respectively
I believe that the sentence
I'm about to give is appropriate,
to this particular case.
Mr. Tshabalala, could you
please stand on your feet.
[tense heart beating]
So, this court is sentencing you,
to 18 months
of community service,
under police supervision
on the condition,
that you
do nothing wrong during this time.
If you violate this sentence
in any way then
you will be sent to prison for 15 years.
Listen[sighs]
Young man.
I don't want to ever
see you in my court again.
Do you hear me?
This is a slap on the wrist,
it's a warning.
You don't get many slaps on the wrist.
I want you to
pull your life together.
It's hard enough being,
a young Black man in this world.
Don't succumb to peer pressure,
it'll pull you down that rabbit hole.
Listen to your mother.
Listen to your village.
They're over there, okay?
You owe them that much.
You're young.
So, work hard at school. Play hard.
But treat women,
with respect
and believe
in yourself.
[suspense music plays]
[sighs] Court is adjourned.
[cheering and applause]
[crowd chanting] The dog is not dead!
[man whistles]
[crowd continues to chatter]
[man whistles]
[suspense music continues to play]
[crowd continues to chatter]
[man whistles]
[crickets chirping]
[student in slang] Mr. Pres,
you're monied.
- No lie. We are impressed.
- [student1 clapping]
- My boy.
- Ma Angie.
- [in English] It's always good seeing you.
- It's so good to see you, it's also even,
better to see this bunny chow of yours.
That's why I'm here.
[in Sotho] I'm glad.
[in English] Pass my greetings
to your mother, okay?
- I will do so. Thank you.
- Shall we go, Mr. President?
Yes. Yes.
- [in English] This way, Sir.
- Thank you, Ma Angie.
- Thank you.
- Thank you so much.
- Thank you.
- Cheers, guys.
- [in Sotho] I'll see you guys.
- Bye, Mr. President.
[uplifting music playing]
[students cheering]
Subtitle translation by: Percy Smith