 |
e'Lollipop, produced during the Apartheid years, is a classic South African film and a box office hit that was screened in over 40 countries. At the 2004 Cannes Film Festival in France, e'Lollipop was honoured as the opening film of the South African Retrospective section. Few people have experienced acting in a film, doing drugs, stealing cars, serving time in prison - and then finding friends willing to help them grab hold of life when God gives them a second chance. Muntu Ndebele is such a person.
It all started when Muntu starred as the lead actor in e'Lollipop. The film tells the heart-warming story of an orphaned white boy, Jannie (Norman Knox) and his black friend Tsepo (Muntu Ndebele), who adventure through boyhood at a Lesotho mission station, on to New York, and back again. So strong was their bond of friendship that in the film, Tsepo gives his life to save his friend Jannie.
The book e'Lollipop has been approved as a prescribed text for schools in all South Africa's provinces and the reviews are excellent.
In real life, Muntu's story has been a roller-coaster ride of stardom, red carpets and limousines, on to alcohol, drugs and eventually theft. He reaped the result of his misdeeds when he was caught and imprisoned. He describes the events that led to his downfall as a series of wrong choices.
The search for Muntu by the Producer of e'Lollipop, André Pieterse and Norman Knox, Muntu's co-star, eventually led them to a derelict Hillbrow flat where they found a drug addicted, sick man of 43kg, sorely in need of friends. They gathered around him and helped him to recover. As part of his healing process, Muntu wrote his life story, which turned out to be so unusual that it forms the basis for the forthcoming film, A Million Colours.
Following five years of a healthy diet, regular gym, encouragement and discipline, Muntu has made a full recovery. He has decided to put back into society what he had taken out. He devotes himself to giving motivational talks and to preparing for a role as Associate Producer of the film A Million Colours.
Muntu's presentation includes a short introductory video, some background on his life and his motivational message.
Past audiences include IBM; Deloitte & Touche; The British International College; Cornerstone College; MES (Metro Evangelical Services); Robben Island Primary School; Assumption College; British American Tobacco.
"Muntu is an inspiration, worthy of emulation a hundred times." - Mr R. Panday, British American Tobacco
To make an appointment for Muntu to speak to your learners or staff, please contact:
Ms Bronwyn Williams
Ma-Afrika Films (Pty) Ltd
Tel: +27 (0)21 887-6894
E-mail: info@ma-afrika.co.za |
|
 |
|
