Kevin Harris is a South African who has lived and worked as an independent filmmaker in South Africa for the past thirty-one years.

 

In November 2007, Kevin Harris was awarded the

Golden Horn Film & TV Award for Life-time Achievement in Documentary Film-making

by the National Film & Video Foundation of South Africa.

 

His independent career began in October 1979 when he was fired by the 

Apartheid controlled SABC TV regime for ensuring the uncensored broadcast of 

his documentary “BARA”, which went behind the scenes of an  overcrowded

Baragwanath Hospital and exposed the oppressive social / environmental conditions 

under which the community of Soweto were forced to live in the township.

 (Click for more)


Newly released:
1] Prof Tim Noakes
For broadcast Thurs 10th Nov 2011 - Winner's Circle - SSpt 6/Ch206 - 8.30pm.
[Also broadcast on Tellytrack - Ch 232 on Thurs evening in the broadcast "loop" after the completion of the day's live racing events ]
 Prof Tim Noakes, Head: UCT Research Unit, Exercise Science & Sport Medicine gives an   interesting perspective on what it takes - from a sporting point of view - to be a successful professional jockey.

2] Golfing legend Gary Player looks back on his life and his passion for Golf & Horses
Thurs 29th Sept 2011 - Winner's Circle - SSport 2 - Ch202 - 8.30pm
[Also broadcast on Tellytrack - Ch 232 on Thurs evening after the completion of the day's live racing events ]
 Speaking from his stud farm at Agtertang on the banks of the Orange river in the Karoo:
"I realized that the outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man.
So, I developed this great love for horses and it's just something that is a passion with me.
If you ask me what do I love more golf or horses ... it's a very hard choice.
They've both been my great friend in life." ................................

Two current and relevent documentaries that you will not see on the Tri-Continental Film Festival:  

1] "Zimbabwe - past the post ... on a dark horse"
 This documentary cuts to the heart of Zimbabwe - peeling away the many layers & their respective differing realities - that make up the complex Zimbabwean society of today.
Offering new reference points the documentary journeys through the personal complexities that make up the psyche of President Robert Mugabe, the desperate situation of the refugee, the unrequited mission of the war veteran - who took up the armed struggle at the age of fifteen - and the tenacity of the predominantly white thoroughbred horse racing fraternity who are surviving in spite of invasion of their farms.
All this against a thumb-nail backdrop sketch of the history of Rhodesia / Zimbabwe & the legacy of British Colonialism.
This documentary is a personal perspective from independent filmmaker Kevin Harris.
[ Completed May 2011 ]


2] "Remember Africa - remember Sobukwe"
In the dawning hours of the 21st of March 1960, Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe left his home in Mofolo, Soweto and began the 5km walk to the Orlando Police Station.
In so doing, he was personally putting into action his nation-wide call for a decisive non-violent campaign against the “pass laws”.
As President of the Pan Africanist Congress, Sobukwe had called on all Black South Africans on this day, to leave their pass books at home, walk to the nearest police station & demand arrest.
Heeding Sobukwe’s call, Black South Africans presented themselves for arrest – at police stations countrywide - in their thousands.
For Robert Sobukwe, the 21st March 1960, began as any other day.
By nightfall, his actions had determined the course of history in South Africa.
Sixty-nine people died in the hail of police gunfire at Sharpeville that day.
The shooting reverberated around the world and emblazoned indelibly the profile of apartheid oppression on the consciousness of the international community.
Caught off guard, the regime was now fully aware of Sobukwe’s enormous influence and power.
He was imprisoned for three years.
Determined to neutralise his influence, on the eve of his release three years later, the regime passed a bill through parliament – the so-called “Sobukwe Clause” – which would enable his indefinite incarceration – as they put it – “this side of eternity”.
 
Throughout his life, Sobukwe held the unshakable belief that, in his lifetime, South Africa would be part of a liberated united Africa. 
On the 27th February 1978, Robert Sobukwe – at the age of 53 - died of lung cancer.
Sadly he did not live to witness his oft stated dream of South Africa’s youth walking tall in a country they call their own.
Potentially one of South Africa’s greatest leaders, Sobukwe once wrote:
 “True leadership demands complete subjugation of self, absolute honesty, integrity and uprightness of character – courage and fearlessness - and above all, a consuming love for one’s people.”
Tragically, South Africa has been denied the contribution of Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe.
Nevertheless, his legacy lives on!
Remember Africa … remember Sobukwe!  [ Completed  February 2011 ]