SA’S Black Mermaid making waves in Europe
Blue-haired ocean activist has wowed academics and celebrities, including Kelly Clarkson, who recommended her children’s book
South Africa’s “Black Mermaid”
— actress, author and conservationist Zandile Ndhlovu — is in the midst of a whirlwind tour of Europe, ahead of Saturday’s South African premiere of her film, Shaped By Water.
The short film is directed by Dean Leslie and is produced by Corinna Halloran, who produced the film for 11th Hour Racing as a multipart series presented in collaboration with environmental NGO Protect Our Winters.
The world premiere of the movie was held last month at the 27th Sonoma International
Film Festival in Sonoma, California, followed by an extensive media tour through New York City.
Last Friday, the Soweto-born Ndhlovu was the master of ceremonies at the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Africa session conference in Barcelona, Spain. “The Africa session was focused on African oceans and the ocean decade narrative,” Ndhlovu told TIMESLIVE Premium.
“And the whole question was around, ‘who is we’? So if you look at the UN Ocean decade, the tagline is the science we need for the ocean we want. And what’s often been troubling in the context of Africa is that it has never been an African voice that puts forward what Africa needs. It has always been led by what the US and Europe think Africa needs.”
“So it was an important time for us to place Africa forward, and our session was a mixture of powerful storytelling.
“It was a panel discussion with prominent experts, presenting the science that we need from an African perspective; writing a different future for our oceans and what resources we need; and a fireside chat around the financing mechanisms that are available to the African continent.”
The blue-haired beauty added: “What was amazing was that the IOC secretary-general made reference to our session, saying it was ‘so alive and energetic ’— and it was incredible to be a part of that session.”
While in Barcelona, Ndhlovu made a video appearance on a US television talk programme, The Kelly Clarkson Show, where host Kelly Clarkson praised SA’S Black Mermaid for inspiring children through her latest book, Zandi’s Song, which launched at the end of last month on Amazon worldwide.
“Scrolling through social media, this is what I’m liking,” began Clarkson on the show, in front of a background graphic of heart emojis and the hashtag #Whati’mliking.
“I’m fascinated with all things connected to the ocean.”
Clarkson continued: “Well, one woman in South Africa is making sure kids worldwide can discover the wonders of the sea — and she’s known as the ‘Black Mermaid’.
“Not only is she South Africa’s first black female free-diving instructor, she also has a new children’s book out, and it’s called Zandi’s Song.”
Ndhlovu, who won the segment’s sponsored prize of $1,000 (R19,093), talked about her first encounter with the ocean. “I grew up in a landlocked area in Soweto in South Africa, and we grew up with these stories that told us to stay away from all bodies of water, and so in grade 6, I had this near-drowning incident.
“But then, as time went on, I learnt to swim, and in 2016, I found myself in Bali.
“I looked beneath the surface for the first time, and it was the most beautiful sight I could have ever imagined.
“The waters were so blue, the fishes were so yellow, the coral was so colourful.
“It was amazing. And I went on to scuba dive, and in 2019 I became SA’S first black freediving instructor, and it was incredible for me, because I had never seen a human that looked like me underwater. It was a moment, like channelling the black aerial space.”
She also appeared on CBS Mornings.
The actress, placed among BBC’S 100 Women in 2023, is in Venice, Italy for the 60th Venice
Biennale (La Biennale Di Venezia).
The festival, held twice a year, celebrates contemporary art, musical theatre, dance and architecture from around the world and attracts more than half a million visitors a year.
South Africa’s official art exhibition, Into the Light, opens on April 23.
Commissioned by Nosipho Nausca-jean Ngcaba, ambassador of South Africa in Italy, it is curated by Amé Bell, and features exhibitors Roger Ballen, Lebohang Kganye and Phumulani Ntuli.
The SA Pavillion exhibition, Quiet Ground, presents a collaboration and sound installation by Molemo Molloa and Nare Mokgotho, curated by Portia Malatjie titled Dinokana.
Shaped By Water will premiere in SA this Saturday at the Cape Town Adventure Film Festival.