From 26 March to 2 April the South African Eco Film Festival screened a number of
significant documentaries in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria and the Eastern
Cape. Organised by Dougie Dudgeon and Andreas Wilson-Spath the festival aims to
raise awareness about important social, political and environmental issues.
“Documentary films and environmental ones in particular, hardly ever make it onto
the mainstream cinema circuit in South Africa. There are many fantastic doccies out
there that are well made and speak to important topics. The festival aims to give
South Africans a chance to see these films and to engage with the subject matter
they raise. In this way we hope to increase public awareness and initiate public
debate,’ says Wilson-Spath.
Abalimi
By Marysia Makowska
22 minutes
Abalimi addresses the issue of food uncertainty in poverty-stricken communities
around Cape Town. This has resulted in a gardening initiative by local women with
the support of non-profit organisation Abalimi Bezekhaya, which helps
disadvantaged communities find strength and drive in their daily lives despite their
current, unavoidable struggles.
“We hope that people who see this film decide to switch to purchasing and
consuming local organic small/independent farmed produce. We hope it
communicates to a global audience the possibility of peaceful local revolutions that
can impact the way we farm on a worldwide basis. We hope Abalimi Bezekhaya –
and other organisations like it – grow and become a force to reckon with,’ says
Makowska.
Visit www.sceniccollection.com to watch Abalimi.
(En)Snared
By: James Walsh
15 minutes
The changing landscape of South Africa’s wildlife conservation is explored in
(En)Snared. With rural communities now the effective custodians of remaining
wildernesses, the role of conservationists is challenged. No longer just scientists,
modern conservationists need to employ a strong sociological point of view.
“So often middle class city dwellers react to poachers with comments like “shoot
them on sight’ or demand harsh punishment for their actions. We wanted to find out
what actually happens in the communities that surround conservation areas,’ says
Walsh. “We have some huge structural problems in our country that often paralyse
us into inactivity. But if we just have the opportunity to listen to other people’s
stories maybe it’s the first step.’
Visit www.sinamatella.com for more information.
Msobomvu
By: Sara C F De Gouveia, Kofi Zwana
12 minutes
In the village of Msobomvu near East London, limited and unreliable access to
power and water supplies has presented a number of challenges for the community.
Over the past two years, non-profit organisation Project 90×2030 has worked with
the community to create improved energy and water solutions.
“I think at a time where climate change is a hot topic worldwide, and where in
South Africa we are still experiencing load shedding, it is important for people to
understand that there are alternatives and that it is possible to have access to
electricity independently, in a green way,’ comments De Gouveia.
Watch the film at https://vimeo.com/81513184 or visit
www.lionfishproductions.co.za for more information.
Once Upon a Time
By: Hermien de Vos
10 minutes
For years African penguins lived in peace with humans in Stoney Point until local
government and Cape Nature converted part of the area into an official nature
reserve and tourism facility. A fence separating the penguins from the humans cut
many off from their established nesting sites, lifelong partners and chicks.
“The main issue I am trying to address is the old school style of nature conservation
still used by our authorities, where man and animal are segregated and cut off from
interacting with one another. The modern international trend in conservation terms
is to manage wilderness areas as a “living landscape’, ie. no fences and man living
in harmony with nature,’ comments De Vos.
Watch Once Upon a Time at: https://youtube/Sn0QadMwIv0
Stepping Stones
By: Laurence Dworkin
20 minutes
In Stepping Stones City of Cape Town Nature Conservation manager Bongani Mnisi
discusses his ongoing MSc project, which involves establishing indigenous gardens
at schools across the Cape Flats. Filled with nectar producing plants, these “stepping
stone’ gardens attract sunbirds and sugarbirds which serve as pollinators,
transferring up to 300 fynbos species as they fly between the areas.
The Artist
By: Laurence Dworkin, Tonia Selley
19 minutes
The Artist features Ebraime Hull, a horticulturist at the Harold Porter Botanical
Garden in Betty’s Bay, who shares with audiences his love of plants and how it has
inspired him to become an accomplished botanical painter.
Nature’s Pharmacy
By: Kgomotso Molebatsi
13 minutes
In Nature’s Pharmacy Sinegugu Zukulu, an environmental activist in the Eastern
Cape’s Pondoland Wild Coast, visits rural inhabitants to speak to them about the
value of wild plants in the area. Zukulu is one of many community leaders and
organisations trying to create awareness about the area, now threatened by
highway extension plans and a mining proposal.
Nature’s Pharmacy, Stepping Stones and The Artist are part of the CareTakers
project, an ongoing partnership between non-profit documentary production
company STEPS and the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI).
George Davis, an associate on the CareTakers project, comments: “Our reference
frame is one of storytelling by ordinary people who are doing extraordinary things
to both conserve nature and bring citizens of the country closer to their biodiversity
heritage. Without people understanding very well the role which nature plays in
providing human society with essential goods and services, civilization will
collapse.’
Watch these films and find more information at: www.caretakers.co.za
