In one of the profound scenes of ‘Baka Ngwane: The Birth Of A Nation’’, my eyes fell on a now grey bearded childhood friend of mine, one of the cast of the blockbuster movie.
The scene, shot by the riverside, showed a large number of actors from across the country.
Their dream of acting in a movie that would cross borders and be witnessed around the world was unfolding.
It struck me that the movie is not just entertainment, but a cultural mirror and an economic driver. The friend of mine, Fuzo as we call him, had tried his luck many times in the acting scene and finally this national movie opened its doors for his lifelong dream. He may not be a star in it, nor a huge role, but him being in a movie that played at a Ster Kniekor Cinema this past Saturday makes him having achieved a huge lifelong dream.
Perhaps, even more profound was the credits page in which we were able to see each and every name of everyone involved.
The film ‘Baka Ngwane: ‘The Birth of a Nation’, which has been making waves as part of the EU Film Festival, the Lesotho Film Festival and most recently, the Mpumalanga Film Festival, is much more than a cinematic achievement. It is a national treasure.
The film captures an essential part of our history, weaving a narrative that is both deeply rooted in the Eswatini experience and universally resonant.
It is a well-portrayed, authentic story of our country, rich in historical context, layered in cultural depth and delivered with emotional precision.
The cinematography of the film is breath-taking. Sitting at Illanga Mall Sterk Kniekor Cinema, by chance, next to the film’s Producer Sibusiso ‘Sparks’ Dlamini, I marvelled each time a creative shot appeared because of how much attention to detail the meticulous creative has.
Dlamini is also the brains behind my ‘Positivity Series’ that ended up being an eight weeks running series on Eswatini TV. The Executive Producer of the film, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Pholile Shakantu, deserves all the credit for the work put in this production.
She is no stranger to the preservation of history. In a one time project, she led the production of a publication detailing the history of her then workplace MTN Eswatini as it turned 15 years and opening of the now head office. Working with her was working with a person committed to delivery and excellence and the film shows her consistency over the years. The music sound design production by Mduduzi Ziyawakazitha Matsenjwa brought even more life to the production, as his wealth of experience in production oozed of brilliance.
As a nation, we often speak of the need to preserve our heritage, but ‘Baka Ngwane’ does more than preserve, it brings history to life, allowing audiences to see, hear and feel the heartbeat of a nation being born.
Storytelling has always been a cornerstone of African identity. Before ink touched paper or screens flickered with moving images, our elders passed down wisdom, values and history through the spoken word.
Today, film extends that tradition to the world stage.
‘Baka Ngwane’ is proof that telling our stories in our voice is not just a cultural responsibility, it is a necessity. Our narratives define us as they shape how the world sees us, and more importantly, how we see ourselves. In an era where global perspectives often overshadow local truths, films like this reclaim our right to tell our own story, on our own terms.
Too often, we see films only in terms of their artistic merit, overlooking the economic machinery they set in motion.
A well planned film like Baka Ngwane is a job creation engine, rippling benefits across multiple sectors.
When a film is in production, it creates employment for actors and extras who bring the story to life. We saw the directors, producers and screenwriters, whose creative leadership drives the vision.
It gave rise to work for the technical crew, cinematographers, sound engineers, lighting technicians, who shape the film’s quality. Other benefits are costume and set designers, often sourcing from local tailors and artisans.
Others who benefit from the creative economy are local vendors and suppliers, providing materials for props, building and logistics. Each film is a miniature economy in motion. Beyond the cultural value, productions like ‘Baka Ngwane’ inject tangible cash flow into communities, upskill workers and stimulate related industries.
From a technical perspective, ‘Baka Ngwane’ is a finely executed piece of cinema.
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