Durban — The Manzini Zungu Foundation has partnered with the Department of Education (DOE) in KwaZulu-Natal for a Heritage Month anti-bullying awareness activation centred on the award-winning and globally acclaimed short animation film, uShaka Inkosi Yamakhosi (King of Kings).
The chairperson of the Foundation, Manzini Zungu, who is also the executive producer and director of the Netflix film, with the officials from the DOE visited several primary schools in uMlazi to provide lessons “on courage, leadership, strategy, resilience, and mentorship”.
The aim was to help pupils find the greatness within themselves to be their own heroes in their communities.
Zungu said the film has become a culturally and significant film that stays true to South Africa’s own heritage. He partnered with the University of Johannesburg to promote heritage and educate society about the importance of preserving cultural heritage.
“The acclaim we have received from the global audience has to be shared with our young people.
“It is imperative in ingraining the true representation of our people as warm, patient, tolerant, creative, and charismatic people,” said Zungu.
The foundation donated R5 000 to Sandakuhle Primary School, to fix the school infrastructure.
“We are keen on identifying and developing young storytellers from all parts of South Africa. We want to use a locally produced but globally recognised film like uShaka to be a platform to unearth the creativity of future authors, filmmakers and storytellers,” said Zungu.
Bullying within schools severely affects children both physically and psychologically, Zungu added.
School principal Londiwe Blose said the children were in high spirits and enjoyed watching the locally produced film.
“We take pride in the film which we all resonate with. We hope that more awareness is built around this film as it teaches our children about the king and also encourages them not to bully each other,” Blose said.
The chief director in the office of the head of the KZN DOE, Thami Mbanjwa, said the department’s MEC expressed joy about the visit to the school.
“We are open to working with the foundation as we have seen that they also donated money into the purse of the school.”
The foundation is expected to visit schools in the Inanda community.
Daily News