Mother of Moeketsi (2018)
A gripping South African short film that brings the tragedy of the 2012 Marikana massacre to life through one family's devastating loss.
Mother of Moeketsi - Movie Information
- Original Title: Mma Moeketsi
- Release Year: 2018
- Directed by: Reabetswe Moeti
- Type: Movie
- Runtime: 26m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: Sotho
- Release Date (Theatrical): July 1, 2018 (South Africa)
- Production Countries: South Africa
Mother of Moeketsi - Plot
True events - In 2012 a group of South African mine workers went on a wage increase strike that led to what would become a national tragedy that saw 34 miners being brutally killed by the police.
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Mother of Moeketsi - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Reabetswe Moeti
Main Cast
- Keketso Semoko
- Mothusi Chebeletsane
- Sandile Chivambo
- Kgomotso Ditshweni
- Solofelang Kae
- Thabo Malema
- Zoe Modipa
- Portia Moemedi
- Tshenolo Moeti
- Makhaola Ndebele
Writers
- Reabetswe Moeti
Mother of Moeketsi - FAQs
What is Mother of Moeketsi about?
Mother of Moeketsi centers on the aftermath of the 2012 Marikana massacre, where 34 South African mine workers on a wage strike were shot and killed by police. The film explores the tragedy through a deeply personal lens, focusing on the grief and resilience of those left behind.
Is Mother of Moeketsi based on a true story?
Yes, the film is directly inspired by real events. In August 2012, striking miners at the Lonmin platinum mine in Marikana, South Africa, were fired upon by police, resulting in 34 deaths. The Marikana massacre shocked the nation and drew international condemnation.
What was the Marikana massacre depicted in the film?
The Marikana massacre occurred on August 16, 2012, when South African police opened fire on striking mineworkers at the Lonmin mine in the North West province. Thirty-four miners were killed and many more wounded, making it one of the deadliest uses of force by South African authorities since apartheid.
Who directed Mother of Moeketsi?
The film was directed by Reabetswe Moeti, who also wrote the screenplay. Moeti brings a focused, intimate perspective to this short film, channeling the weight of a national tragedy into a personal story of loss and survival set against the backdrop of the Marikana strike.
Who stars in Mother of Moeketsi?
Keketso Semoko leads the cast as Mma Moeketsi, the grieving mother at the heart of the story. She is joined by Mothusi Chebeletsane as Josiah, Sandile Chivambo as Lefa, Makhaola Ndebele as Sipho, and Thabo Malema as Moeketsi, among others.
How long is Mother of Moeketsi?
Mother of Moeketsi runs for 26 minutes, making it a short film. Despite its brief runtime, the story packs a powerful emotional punch, using the intimate format to focus tightly on the human cost of the Marikana tragedy rather than its broader political dimensions.
When was Mother of Moeketsi released?
The film was released on July 1, 2018, in South Africa. It arrived six years after the Marikana massacre itself, giving the story both historical distance and continued emotional urgency as South Africa continued to grapple with the legacy of that devastating event.
What films are similar to Mother of Moeketsi?
If Mother of Moeketsi resonates with you, consider exploring Matewan (1987), a powerful drama about a miners' strike in 1920s America, Harlan County U.S.A. (1977), an Oscar-winning documentary on a coal miners' strike, or The 33 (2015), which follows trapped Chilean miners.
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