The film, which is based on the book “Crossing the Line” by Dr Lutz van Dijk, was shot in Masiphumelele and in the Eastern Cape and tells the story of a South African boy, Themba, growing up in rural Eastern Cape with a dream to play for Bafana Bafana. It is a story of hope as he faces many challenges common in South Africa, such as poverty, HIV/Aids and absent parents.

Van Dijk has worked in Masiphumelele for many years and was the board director for the Amakaya Ngoku housing project in Masiphumelele until recently. He is also the co-founder of Hokisa (Homes for Kids in South Africa) in Masiphumelele.

The children of Masi, who were the real guests of honour among a long list of dignitaries, were vocal throughout the premiere as they saw their home and acquaintances on the big screen.

Among the dignitaries were Western Cape Premier Helen Zille, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, Simphiwe Dana, a celebrated jazz musician who also stars in the film, and the resident coordinator of the UN in South Africa, Zacharias Agostinho.

Nat Singo, who also played in “Beat the Drum” and “Wooden Camera”, plays Themba, with his younger self played by newcomer Emmanuel Soqinase.

Dana makes her film debut as Mandisa, Themba’s mother. Patrick Mofokeng, fresh from leading roles in Athol Fugard’s “Master Harold and the Boys” and Clint Eastwood’s “Invictus”, plays a lodger, Luthando.

International soccer stars Jens Lehmann and Doc Khumalo, as well as South African film and television star Rapulana Seiphemo, made guest appearances. The director, South African-born Stefanie Sycholt who now lives in Germany, said she wanted to create a film about HIV but all the scripts she had read were too “despairing”. When she read Lutz’s book she knew it was what she was looking for, she said.

The film was made over 11 months.

Zille spoke about youth development and reminded guests that sport was important but education was the true key to success.

Tutu, who has supported the film from the beginning, was overjoyed to see the final product and reiterated its message of hope and encouraged the youth to dream big.

“Themba reminds me of my own childhood and youth in a township close to a small village in the Transvaal. “Like him I wanted to escape poverty, like him I had the hope that our world will be a just world one day – and like him I loved my mother who was working at the time as a maid for a white family. To be very honest, in soccer Themba seems to be simply better than I was,” he said.

The film will be released in South Africa on 16 July and in Germany in August. By Daleen Louw (People's Post)

SCRIPT TALK: Western Cape Premier Helen Zille chats with Simphiwe Dana (left), who plays Themba’s mother, and director Stefanie Sycholt.
Photo:Daleen Louw