by Phil Chard

“We talk about ’94 as this momentous point in our country’s history, but we didn’t change anything, really, structurally and institutionally - we just… added blacks.” That is the quotation from radio personality and writer Gugu Mhlungu from the documentary The People Vs The Rainbow Nation. That quote aptly fits the narrative of the documentary and the source of frustration that has been brewing amongst South Africa's youth who have grown up in what we have all been told was a post racist, equal opportunity society that was dubbed The Rainbow Nation

But as these youth come of age the thin Rainbow Nation veneer has been worn off by the abrasive surface of reality. The film tackles the subject of the Rainbow Nation from the vantage point of university students, professors, writers, and activists. As Tim Horwood admitted in an interview after the screening, the producers and the director Lebogang Rasethaba deliberately chose to share the stories from a specific set of people to help explain the frustrations of the disenfranchised youth and deconstruct the image of the post-apartheid South Africa.

Early on the tone of the tone and direction is set as black students relate the struggles they and their families endure just to try and secure them a decent education. These scenes are juxtaposed with the stories of two privileged women students - one white and one Asian, who both understand their privilege and are seen as allies in the #FessMustFall movement.

The opening scene of The People Vs The Rainbow nation depicts a young black man relating his challenges in growing up in South Africa and how his mother "tried to raise him white" in the hopes that this would help secure him a better future. As he relates this story the camera zooms in uncomfortably into his face. Revealing the subjects facial blemishes and a lone spittle resting between his lips. It makes for uncomfortable viewing but metaphorically it sets the tone for the narrative and direction of the film. The People Vs The Rainbow Nation is an uncomfortable yet necessary close-up analysis of the effects and blemishes left on South Africa following over 350 years of slavery, colonialism and Apartheid. The film examines the frustrations of those that believe they grew up in a system created by white people that allows white people to prosper on the backs of the black populace. A system that was created during Apartheid South Africa that was never addressed even after Apartheid was abolished.

At the screening of the film Rasethaba shared how making this film forced him to rethink how not only he approached racism but also patriarchy. In one Chapter of the film the role men (both black and white) in the oppression of black women is explored. Rasethaba described the process of exploring and deconstructing his own opinions with regard to this topic as "visceral" and something that forced him "to rethink my relations to my wife, to my mom and my siblings, … in the same way that white liberals might protest and be down with the cause, I am still someone that benefits from Patriarchy everyday"

The People Vs The Rainbow Nation is a powerful piece of art that is timely and needed. It is uncomfortable to watch, sometimes almost painful. This film isn’t just about free education, or racism or rape culture or white privilege. It is a film about oppressions and how, because all oppression is linked it can still allow itself to cover a multitude of various subjects and still stay focused and on topic. As one of the subjects in the film says “all we want is for people to listen and recognise the pain.” This film is one chapter in the to that effect, but also as Rasethaba said everyone need to figure out their position relative to everything else in society.

The People Vs The Rainbow Nation will be airing at these times

MTV Channel 130

Premiere: Thursday 21 April @ 21:15 CAT; Repeats: 22/04 @ 19:10 CAT, 23/04 @ 18:15 CAT; 24/04 @ 23:45 CAT; 27/04 @ 09:30 CAT, 16:00 CAT, & 22:00 CAT; 29/04 @ 18:30 CAT.

MTV BASE Channel 322