When We Were Black is a South African period drama anthology television series created and directed by Khalo Matabane and produced by Bornfree Media for SABC1, in which each season a new love story unfolds across the backdrop of a country torn apart by political and cultural divides.
Originally intended as a mini-series consisting of four episodes, it was revived after an eight-year hiatus for a second season of six episodes.
Season 1
It is Soweto, 1976, and Fistos, an intelligent but shy teenager, meets Mangi, the girl of his dreams.
The daughter of a local liberation preacher, she is the on-off girlfriend of Modise, a rising star in the world of student politics.
Fistos is smitten, and being the target of the school gang doesn't help either. Now, not only must he confront these bullies, but he must cloak his sexual desires and learn the art of seduction within a revolutionary context.
The mini-series was shot over four weeks in September and October 2006 and features a guest appearance by Tsotsi star Presley Chweneyagae, who recites the historical poem by Ingoapele Madingoane: "Africa my Beginning".
The tagline of the mini-series is: "Love in a time of revolt."
Created and directed by Khalo Matabane and produced by Bornfree Media for SABC1, the first season was executive produced by Carolyn Carew, Mandla Sibeko and Khalo Matabane. The music was by Philip Miller, with additional music provided by Gallo Music:
Artist: The Movers
Title: Soweto Inn
Composer: Thapedi/Thakwane
Publisher: Gallo MusicGallo Music
Album Title: Best ot the Movers 2
Artist: Way Back
Title: Members
Composer: Ntemi Piliso
Publisher: Gallo Music
Album Title: At Mavutheta
Artist: Malombo
Title: Mbaqanga Blues
Composer: P Tabane
Publisher: Gallo Music
Album Title: Pelo Pelo
Artist: The Movers
Title: The Bump Jive
Composer: T Phalo/L Masilela
Publisher: Gallo Music
Album Title: Best of the Best
Artist: The Movers
Title: Crying Guitar
Composer: S Chounyane
Publisher: Gallo Music
Album Title: Best of the Best
Artist: Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Title: Baba Wethu Ningenile
Composer: J Shabalala
Publisher: Gallo Music
Album Title: Ukukhanya Kwelanga
Season 2
When We Were Black 2 is a six-part mini-series set against the background of the '80s in South Africa and is a love story between two teenagers, one of whom is from the wrong side of the tracks.
What if a young girl who dreams of being a pop star falls in love with her mentor, who wakes her up to the possibilities of music as an act of political defiance?
1986. The country is on fire. The townships are occupied military zones. Young people are resisting, waging war against the apartheid system. Mandisa, a 17-year-old girl in Standard 9 is passionate about music.
Her mother, a factory worker, buys a black and white TV for the family. One night Mandisa watches Brenda Fassie perform her hit song Weekend Special. She is entranced and convinced: she wants to be a pop star.
The Season 2 cast includes Zandile Madliwa as Mandisa Mxenge, Andrea Dondolo as Rebecca Mxenge, Keenan Arrison as Shaheed Adams, Mbulelo Grootboom as Zwelakhe Radebe, Mothusi Magano as Comrade Johnny Walker, Thembi Mtshali-Jones as Nobethu, Lemo Tsipa as Jomo Gotjane, Kim Syster as Rachel and Awethu Hleli as Portia.
Season 2 was directed by Khalo Matabane with additional directing by Akin Omotoso and produced by Carolyn Carew for Born Free Media. The music composition was by Murray Anderson and Warrick Sony.