In order for me to make a clear argument about Self-realization and Self-sufficiency in Life, Above All, I will use Mamdani’s analysis (1994). He makes the four main arguments
One, there can be no renaissance without an intelligentsia to drive it. Two, an African Renaissance requires an African-focused intelligentsia to drive it. Third, let us reflect on the sober morning-after realization that South Africa lacks an African-focused intelligentsia in critical numbers. Finally, there is a need to underline the key lesson of the past colonial academy in equatorial Africa… (Mamdani, 1994:134).
African Renaissance has grown to be understood as a collective analogy which requires everyone’s attention and participation. According to Thabo Mbeki, …show more content…
According to Ellapen (2007), the manner in which ‘township space’ is represented in post-apartheid South Africa is mythical and it resembles the township stereotypes of apartheid [gangsters, shebeens, poverty and so forth]. However, in Life, Above All, the director restores the dignity of the township space by making sure that no stereotypes for the location occur or are eminent. In fact, the location in the film becomes part of the other antagonist –HIV/AIDS- by making it completely impossible for Chanda’s family to live in harmony with the other community members. The location traps Chanda into the chains of struggle. She is forced to be the head of the family in the presence of both her parents. The village is a powerful character in the story, it consists of poverty, poor service delivery (there are no hospitals, police stations, roads and transport) and abrupt alcoholism. The children, even the elders are trapped into this village. Villagers have nothing else to do, they spend the whole day drinking and gossiping. This portrays the power that your surrounding and environment have on your success or failure. Lack of inspiration leads Chanda to have doubts about school, pushes her friend, a 13 years old girl, to child prostitution with old men. She is even in competition with older women. These are some of the
One, there can be no renaissance without an intelligentsia to drive it. Two, an African Renaissance requires an African-focused intelligentsia to drive it. Third, let us reflect on the sober morning-after realization that South Africa lacks an African-focused intelligentsia in critical numbers. Finally, there is a need to underline the key lesson of the past colonial academy in equatorial Africa… (Mamdani, 1994:134).
African Renaissance has grown to be understood as a collective analogy which requires everyone’s attention and participation. According to Thabo Mbeki, …show more content…
According to Ellapen (2007), the manner in which ‘township space’ is represented in post-apartheid South Africa is mythical and it resembles the township stereotypes of apartheid [gangsters, shebeens, poverty and so forth]. However, in Life, Above All, the director restores the dignity of the township space by making sure that no stereotypes for the location occur or are eminent. In fact, the location in the film becomes part of the other antagonist –HIV/AIDS- by making it completely impossible for Chanda’s family to live in harmony with the other community members. The location traps Chanda into the chains of struggle. She is forced to be the head of the family in the presence of both her parents. The village is a powerful character in the story, it consists of poverty, poor service delivery (there are no hospitals, police stations, roads and transport) and abrupt alcoholism. The children, even the elders are trapped into this village. Villagers have nothing else to do, they spend the whole day drinking and gossiping. This portrays the power that your surrounding and environment have on your success or failure. Lack of inspiration leads Chanda to have doubts about school, pushes her friend, a 13 years old girl, to child prostitution with old men. She is even in competition with older women. These are some of the