Sisters going wild
Five young women brave the veld
UNSUNG heroines overcoming tough challenges in order to grow, underlined by the interconnectedness of nature and the damage we are doing to the planet.
That’s the focus of a new social impact documentary, Sisters of the Wilderness, being filmed in KwaZulu-Natal which saw five young local women embarking on a journey of discovery on the iMfolozi Wilderness Trail, within the boundaries of the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve.
Following their journey, the five young women – Thembani Mdunge, Nokuphila Cele, Andile Nxumalo, Amanda Ntombela and Wendy Mkhwanazi – and London film producer Ronit Shapiro, along with the film crew, shared their experiences at a recent breakfast in Durban.
Describing the documentary as an “inspirational story about women’s journeys to find their authentic self and elevate themselves beyond life trials and tribulations to a place where they can become what their souls desire, and a beacon of light in their communities,” Shapiro said her inspiration came from late South African conservationist Dr Ian Player, whom she met while working for the South African Tourism Board in London in 2005.
The documentary will be dedicated to Player and his fellow conservationist, Magqubu Ntombela.
Player brought the white rhino population back from the brink of extinction in the 1960s and founded the Wilderness Leadership School. Wilderness guide Lihle Mbokazi, originally from KwaMashu, led and initiated the five young women into the iMfolozi wilderness.
Shapiro said: “This was not a walk in nature, but in raw wild nature where the wildlife roams free. Each of these young women was carrying a big backpack, but there were no complaints about the weight of the packs or the heat.
“A journey into the wilderness is an intense experience where one can expect to undergo a personal transformation. It can enhance personal growth and build leadership, and it is a soulful experience that has the capacity to heal,” she added.
The documentary tells the story of five young women from underprivileged backgrounds on a life-changing journey, highlighting the power of the wilderness to empower young people and develop a new kind of leadership based on Ubuntu and Inhlonipho, compassion and respect.
After giving a voice to women, Shapiro said the second important theme running through the documentary is human interconnectedness with nature.
“It is a highly timely story in the light of growing disconnection between man and nature, the deteriorating state of the planet, the widespread ongoing exploitation of people and nature, and the loss of respect to indigenous people, their culture and wisdom,” she said, adding the film will highlight the plight of the rhino and the threat of a proposed coal mine on the edge of the reserve.
The five women, who had never seen wild animals nor been in a game reserve before, described the experience as life-changing.
Nineteen-year-old Andile Nxumalo said: “I had a lot on my mind and I went on the trail to find some space. I met these wonderful girls, it was peaceful and there was this new energy where people didn’t criticise, or judge, they just listened. The scariest part for me was doing the night watch, I was the first person to do it.
Thembani Mdunge said: “Besides learning about the environment, trees and animals, I found I had bottled all the pain in me. We cried and laughed, we did everything together.”
Wendy Mkhwanazi added: “I learnt that if you have a problem, you can go to a quiet place to release it.” Amanda Ntombela described her journey as “the greatest experience of my whole life.”
The goal of the documentary is to create a social and environmental impact and the team includes film director and cinematographer Karin Slater, executive producer Antonia Bothner, and composer and music director Eugene Skeef.
Shapiro will return for a final phase of filming in September, when the girls will join horse whisperer Isabel Wolf-Gillespie in the Midlands, after which post-production will take place.
The documentary is set to be released in January 2018.