The burning man
The documentary gives an account of the 2008 xenophobic riots in South-Africa by focusing on a single victim – Mozambican Ernesto Nhamuave – who was burnt to death by an angry mob. By talking to Nhamuave’s neighbours, family and friends documentary filmmaker Adze Ugah attempts to unearth the causes leading up to the sudden rise of xenophobic mob violence, while also constructing a humane portrait of a lone immigrant who hoped for a better future.
Background
The prosperity of South-Africa has always attracted immigrants who sometimes face prejudice and racial violence. Prior to the abolition of apartheid in 1994 much of the violence and discrimination towards non-western immigrants stemmed from institutionalized racism. Contrary to expectations, after 1994 xenophobia towards immigrants persisted. Xenophobia is especially prevalent in the impoverished townships. In these areas unemployment is high and immigrants are often blamed for stealing jobs and causing crime.
Social interest
By focussing on a single victim filmmaker Ugah puts a human face on the xenophobic violence whose victims usually remain anonymous. Yet, Ugah also attempts to expound the social-cultural causes for the violence. The documentary thereby gives a balanced view on the events while at the same time denouncing the atrocities.
Style
Early on in the documentary, filmmaker Ugah overtly expresses how his status as a Nigerian immigrant and personal apprehension will undoubtedly influence the documentation. This does however not result in a biased treatment of the subject matter. Conversely, his personal experiences give the documentary an honest and candid quality, emphasizing the struggles immigrants are daily faced with in a post-apartheid South-Africa.
Filmmakers Against Racism
The documentary is part of a ten-part series by South-African filmmakers. In response to the violent xenophobic outbreaks across South Africa in 2008 they launched the Filmmakers Against Racism initiative. The films – some shot during the violence – were screened at the Durban International Film Festival. Visit the official website of the initiative for more information.
Scenes
Introduction
The introduction expounds on the 2008 xenophobic riots in South-Africa by focusing on a single victim – Mozambican Ernesto Nhamuave – who was burnt to death by an angry mob. In this clip filmmaker Adze Ugah also overtly expresses how his status as a Nigerian immigrant and initial apprehension will undoubtedly influence the documentation.
Life and death in Johannesburg
In a series of short interviews with neighbours of Ernesto Nhamuave filmmaker Adze Ugah attempts to reconstruct his daily routine while living in the township and the events which led up to his death.
Ernestoâs family in Mozambique
In an attempt to unearth more about Ernesto and his motivations for coming to South-Africa, filmmaker Adze Ugah travels to Mozambique to talk to his family and friends.
Ernestoâs burial in Mozambique
In this clip journalists Beauregard Tromp and Shayne Robinson – who had covered Ernesto’s death in the South-African media – give a vivid account of Ernesto’s burial in his hometown.
Concluding remarks
In his concluding remarks filmmaker Adze Ugah reflects upon the senseless violence which led to Ernesto’s death by reciting the poem “A mediation on South African Citizenship” by South African author Margie Orford.