She Didn't Die: A documentary celebrating Lauretta Ngcobo's legacy
Later this month, KwaZulu-Natal's creative sector will shine at the Sheffield Documentary Festival with the premiere of 'She Didn't Die', a poignant documentary honouring the life of author and activist Lauretta Ngcobo. This groundbreaking film, supported by KZNTAFA, showcases South African storytelling on a global stage.
Zikethiwe Ngcobo produced and directed the feature.
Image: Supplied
KwaZulu-Natal's creative sector will take centre stage in Britain later this month when She Didn’t Die, a locally produced documentary celebrating the life of the late author and activist Lauretta Ngcobo, premieres at the Sheffield Documentary Festival to take place from Wednesday June 18 to Monday June 23.
Bankrolled by the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority (KZNTAFA), the film marks the first time a KZN-financed production will open at Europe's most influential documentary showcase, giving South African storytelling a coveted global platform.
'She Didn’t Die' is more than a film; it is a living archive of our memory, heritage and identity," said Sibusiso Gumbi, acting CEO of KZNTAFA.
"Backing projects like this is how we position KwaZulu-Natal as a hub for world-class storytelling." Directed and produced by Khethiwe Ngcobo, the 90-minute feature is a personal tribute to her mother, whose acclaimed 1990 novel 'And They Didn't Die' chronicled rural women's resistance under apartheid.
Lauretta served in the KZN Legislature from 2000 to 2009 and died in 2015. Filmed on location in uMzimkhulu and around iNanda Dam, the documentary weaves interviews, township archives and dramatic re-enactments starring Lemogang Tsipa and Busisiwe Mtshali to retrace Ms Ngcobo's journey from teacher to parliamentarian.
The Ngcobo family.
Image: Supplied
KZNTAFA's R90 million film-fund portfolio has already backed more than 400 productions, awarded 200 bursaries and helped 11 small film-sector businesses since 2014. Its credits include the Oscar-nominated 'Music Is My Life' on Joseph Shabalala as well as Buddha in Africa and the 2024 thriller London Recruits.
"Without KZNTAFA we could not have moved from script to screen," said Khethiwe Ngcobo, who began filming in 2016.
"Taking a South African story to Sheffield affirms the power of provincial support for independent filmmakers." Ms Ngcobo's next projects—Nomvula, a musical about a young woman's quest for education,and Betting on Football, a family comedy—are also receiving Authority backing.
While Sheffield offers the documentary its international launch, local audiences will see 'She Didn't Die' almost simultaneously at the Encounters South African International Documentary Festival in Cape Town and Johannesburg from Thursday June 19, to Sunday June 29.