This documentary will tell the life story of Joseph Shabalala (77), founder of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and the way in which his message of peace and harmony, spread through the medium of his music, has touched people around the globe while promoting South African culture. The project will also provide opportunities for unemployed South African women, offering experience in a variety of roles during the production to give an understanding of the job opportunities that exist in the industry.
South Africa is a global exporter of culture but internally there is still much inequality. It suffers from the highest unemployment rate in the world today (27.5%). Unemployment among men is 25.3% compared to 29.5% among women and many women are involved in unpaid work. Through female participation in the production process, this project will cultivate female talent and provide a path into the industry while recording the legacy of the inspirational cultural figure, Joseph Shabalala and LBM.
This project will contribute to progress on stimulating and strengthening the media employability skills and experience to women in Ladysmith, Durban and Emalahleni. It will enable women over 21 to develop their portfolio, networks and improve their employment prospects
We expect there to be positive business and financial gains for both intermediaries and the creative and social enterprises that will be involved in the making of the documentary. There will also be a stimulating direct benefit for women and girls and other marginalised groups who will have learnt new tools, processes and markets.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
