Merafong Documentary Film Festival 2024

Merafong has always remained the bedrock of South Africa’s thriving economy, with the region boasting and excess of mineshaft extracting valuable metals from the earth. But the region sadly remains disproportionately under-resourced, and the economic benefits of the mineral wealth seemingly going elsewhere.

Throughout the poverty-stricken townships that supply labour to the mines, unemployment of youth has breed a new vulnerability to crime, and interventions are needed to develop self-aware individuals who can lead the region from its infamy.

And the youth, the creatives artists and craft makers of the region are rejuvenating vision for a new future; and through initiatives such as The Merafong Documentary Film Festival, township entrepreneurship through arts is once again taking centre- stage.

This Youth Month, EXT Lab Media is proud to collaborate with The Gauteng Film Commission in bringing another series of documentary film screening to the Merafong communities. The Merafong Documentary Film Festival is a celebration of South African historical diversity through the art of documentary film.

From the beginning of June to the end of Mandela Month, EXT Lab Media will screen films delving into the heart of contemporary South African politics, probing the history of the mining industry and analysing how algorithms have created social biases that affect life beyond the computer.

The first installment of the festival will take place at Thuto-Kitso Comprehensive High School followed by Imfundo Secondary School, both in Kokosi. And as the Merafong municipality is once again poised to become abuzz with Youth Month activities, and EXT Lab Media will further screen a selection of South African and international documentaries in Khutsong and WEDELA.

These documentary film screenings will be presented by filmmakers who will facilitate discussion on issues raised in their films, while engaging communities towards using art as a tool for questioning social norms.

And as the films are themselves charged with poignant questions about the current state of our democracy, it is important that a new generation of involved citizens equip themselves with knowledge that is embodied in the films selected for festival.

Any queries regarding the screening can be sent to Paul Zisiwe at tjobolo.khahliso@gmail.com or Catherine Mthembu at Rorisang.mthembu@gmail.com
Alternatively feel free to call the team on 078 849 2738