“There is this intensely creative, unapologetically young and curious energy in South Africa that I sense and subscribe to; it’s really infectious and I point my camera in that direction,” says South African director Lebogang Rasethaba.
Arcade Content director, Rasethaba is a patriot, he is passionate, and he is a filmmaker. After completing his master’s in film studies in China, he returned fluent in Mandarin and experience. Since then Rasethaba has made his mark on the advertising world, and is also known for the documentary features The People Vs The Rainbow Nation, Future Sound of Msanzi, and Prisoner 46764: The Untold Legacy of Andrew Mlangeni.
WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND AND HOW HAS THIS SHAPED YOU AS A DIRECTOR?
I am a young black South African. I was raised by strong black women. I was born in Soweto and moved around tirelessly while my parents tried to find themselves in the new South Africa. I had a best friend who was white. I was once punched outside a Spar by an Afrikaans kid who called me a k*****. I did horribly in school, but excelled in university. I was creative at school but not necessarily cool. I was only cool because of how good I was at cricket. I tried to start an art society but failed. Once I got my history teacher to paint a portrait of my mom and never got it because I never paid her. Once some kids in my school found my pad where I doodled and laughed at me. I wanted to be a fine artist but my father said no; I haven’t stopped thanking him since.
DESCRIBE THE MOMENT WHEN YOU DECIDED TO BECOME A DIRECTOR?
I feel there is no such moment. One becomes a director over a long period of obsessing with arts, culture, life, storytelling, representation, fashion, rap music (Kanye West to be specific), table manners – or the lack of – in people you have dinner with, lovers, comics, Myspace and all its manifestations since its untimely death.
WHERE DO YOU FIND INSPIRATION?
My What’sApp group with Mzi Khumalo, Thabang Moleya, Mpho Twala, Ernest Nkosi, Tebogo Malope and Zweli Radebe.
DO YOU HAVE ANY MENTORS?
The many mistakes I make daily in my work.
WHAT ARE YOUR PERSONAL CAREER MILESTONES?
When my mom watched my documentary, The People Versus The Rainbow Nation, and she couldn’t move for an hour after its conclusion because she wished someone had made a film like that when she was growing up.
WHICH PROJECTS ARE YOU CURRENTLY INVOLVED IN?
A few documentaries, mostly follow-ups: A follow up to the MTV documentary, The People Versus the Rainbow Nation, and another follow up to Future Sound of Mzansi. As you know with commercials, they keep coming in and out; it just depends on when I last checked my emails.
DO YOU PREFER FILMING COMMERCIAL OR FEATURE LENGTH?
They are both so different and fulfil such different creative needs. I don’t have a preference; that’s why I do both.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FUNNIEST MOMENT ON SET?
I am always trying to be funny on set but no one ever laughs so I have stopped, and now I am just serious all the time.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE COMMERCIAL AND WHY?
Castle Lite Ziyabanda is my favourite piece of work because it’s the best piece of work I have ever done.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ONE-LINER FROM A COMMERCIAL?
I prefer silent commercials, and I am big on non-dialogue commercials.
WHAT SONGS MAKE UP YOUR MOST RECENT MUSIC PLAYLIST?
Miles Davis and Robert Glasper.
IF YOU COULD PRODUCE AN AFRICAN VERSION OF A HOLLYWOOD CLASSIC, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I wouldn’t. I would produce an African version of an African classic. There is too much literature on the continent to reproduce Hollywood stuff. I low-key hate Hollywood.
