Share

#FeesMustFall protests highlighted in Umlilo’s new music video

Cape Town – South African Kwaai Diva Umlilo has released the fourth single from his sophomore EP, Aluta

The song is called Umzabalazo and the music video sees Umlilo reunited with his Reciprocity collaborators, ALV productions and Odendaal Esterhuyse.

The clip chronicles the #FeesMustFall movement through the lens of two characters who find themselves at opposite spectrum of the South African youth struggle.
 
Through a journey around South Africa’s golden metropolis, Johannesburg, the video explores the day in a life of an everyday 'slacktivist' and projections of his alter ego as he consumes #FeesMustFall updates on social media.

Watch the video: 

Here's what Umlilo and the filmmakers had to say about the video: 

“We wanted to create a unique South Africa story that reflects the existential crisis and bewilderment many South Africans feel as a result of these oppressive structures that continue to dominate our everyday lived experiences and our collective future,” says Umlilo.
 
“While I was away in India, I followed the #FEESMUSTFALL movement quite closely. It added a lot to the concept of this video. I felt this weird tension because I wanted to be a part of it but I couldn’t. In retrospect, I don’t know if I would have been a part of it even if I was in SA… maybe that was just a fantasy. That’s where the idea of the two characters in Umzabalazo originated… the one is the reality, the other is a digital projection of the fantasy,” says director Odendaal Esterhuyse.
 
Part 1 of the video sees the linear and traditional music video with an interactive part 2 launching during Umlilo’s TEdxWomen performance on October 29.


We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE