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Kalushi

Kalushi
theatrical release poster
Directed byMandla Dube
Written by
  • Mandla Dube
  • Leon Otto
StarringThabo Rametsi
Thabo Malema
Welile Nzuza
Jafta Mamabolo
Louw Venter
Fumani Shilubana
Pearl Thusi
Gcina Mhlophe
Marcel van Heerden
Murray Todd
Release dates
  • 18 June 2016 (2016-06-18) (Durban International Film Festival)
  • 10 March 2017 (2017-03-10)
CountrySouth Africa
BudgetR20 million
Box officeR2.3 million

Kalushi is a 2016 South African film about Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu, a nineteen-year-old hawker from the streets of Mamelodi, a township outside Pretoria in South Africa.[1] He was born in Pretoria on 10 July in 1956, the second son of Martha Mahlangu. His father left him in 1962, and from then on only saw him infrequently. His mother was a domestic worker and took sole responsibility for his upbringing. The film is based on a true story.[2]

Plot

Kalushi is brutally beaten by the police. He goes into exile following the 1976 Soweto uprisings to join the liberation movement. He returns from military training in Angola. En route to their mission, his friend and comrade, Mondy, loses control and shoots two innocent people on Goch Street in Johannesburg. Mondy is severely beaten and tortured; Kalushi is forced to stand trial under the common purpose doctrine.

The state seeks the highest punishment from the court, death by hanging. Kalushi has his back against the wall and uses the courtroom as a final battlefield. His sacrifice immortalises him into a hero of the struggle and a national icon of the youth joining Umkhonto we Sizwe.

Cast

Actor Role
Thabo Rametsi Solomon Mahlangu
Thabo Malema Mondy
Welile Nzuza Tommy London
Jafta Mamabolo Lucky
Louw Venter Van Heerden
Fumani Shilubana Lucas Mahlangu
Pearl Thusi Brenda Riviera
Gcina Mhlophe Martha Mahlangu
Marcel Van Heerden Judge Theron
Murray Todd Mr. Mailer
Clive Scott Mr. Bragg
Lawrence Joffe Heller
Shika Budhoo Priscilla Jana
Kaseran Pillay Dawood
Mona Monyane Comrade Eve
Ryan Dittman Mr. Hartog
Zweli Dube Comrade Papers
Buyile Mdladla Gebuza
Siphiwe Nkosi Damoyi
Anton Dekker Minister of Police
Gary D'Alessandro Commander Esperanza
Bhekisisa Mkhwane Jacob Zuma
Thembalethu Ntuli Coca-Cola
Wandile Molebatsi Cousin Phineus
Dan Robbertse Colonel Breytenbach
Jacques van Jaarsveld Ester De Wet
Matt Stern Wouter Wolmarans
Jacques de Silva Frelimo Soldier 1
Mpho Magapi Solomon's Teacher
Reginah Dube Sis Lindi
Denial Honeyball Court Stenographer
Martin Le Maitre Prison Commissioner
Masoja Msiza Rev. Ndlovu
Thami Mzaku Bra Frank
Daniel Du Preez Swaziland Customs Officer
Lawrence-Lee Thorpe Pretoria Central Prison Warder 1
Samuel Manuel Hauze MPLA Soldier-Angola Execution
Markus Haywood White Comrade in Bungalow
Johann van Rensburg Court Orderly
Asia Mahomed Record Bar Merchant
Jaden Naidoo Indian Boy
Renus Muller Policeman 1
Chris Barnard Supreme Court Policeman
Jacobus Smit Court Illustrator
Simao Domingos Frelimo Commander-Rescue
Siphamandla Dlamini Pretoria Maximum Warden
Mandlakayise Walter Dube Jnr Studio Photographer

References

  1. ^ Mandla Dube (2016). "Kalushi: The Story of Solomon Mahlangu". Retrieved 22 September 2016.
  2. ^ "Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu". SA History. Retrieved 22 September 2016.