The Boundless Leleti Khumalo

Actress and producer Leleti Khumalo (48) has become synonymous with Youth Day as the young and defiant Sarafina in the film Sarafina!, which has become essential viewing on 16 June. Sihle Mthembu finds out what this iconic film means to Leleti, how she feels about it 26 years later, and her current projects.

- Sihle Mthembu

Among the many riveting and heart-wrenching scenes in the film Sarafina!, one particular moment continues to haunt me to this day. This is the scene where Sarafina, played by the talented Leleti, visits her mother, a domestic worker named Angelina and played by the late Miriam Makeba. In the living room, Sarafina mocks the callousness of white women who live to sip tea and pass remarks on how strong black women are. Sarafina twirls around the room, throwing onto the floor pillows neatly arranged by her mother. Angelina confronts her later in the bedroom. She tells her that she is filled with dreams of heroism like her father, and that children cannot eat glory. “I’d rather die like him than live like you,” Sarafina spits back defiantly. Wounded, her mother walks out, barely able to say a word. A sobering moment as the camera focuses on Sarafina’s face.

Today, Leleti isn’t as serious as she was when she shot that scene. She has a nervous laugh that infects everyone around her. She looks comfortable and warm shimmying down the production house of Imbewu: The Seed – where she plays lead actress and is executive producer. The soapie airs on Wednesdays at 9:30pm on e.tv. Dressed in a grey sweater, black leggings, sneakers and a headband, she still has that bright-eyed look that first caught our attention in the film that introduced her to the world.