Generation Y(izo Yizo)

It’s 1999. The Kwaito generation are about to vote for the first time in South Africa’s general elections. These are the individuals who had just entered their teens when their parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents voted in the country’s first democratic elections. Now the Kwaito generation is in Grade 12 (called Matric back then), or doing first or second year tertiary studies. Well, that’s if they were lucky enough to get good enough marks and secured funding though a loan/bursary/scholarship (it was highly unlikely that your parents had set up a tertiary education fund when you were born black then). 

This was a generation in flux. Products of what the late 80s and early 90s in South Africa had to give. Children of the twilight who were supposed to be, in theory at least, ‘free’. But they didn’t feel that way. And still they had an anger burning inside them as they struggled to find their identity and footing in the so-called Rainbow Nation.

Then came along a TV show that mirrored their lives, (they felt) represented them and spoke TO them instead of speaking AT them. The team of writers/directors Teboho Mahlatsi and Angus Gibson, along with producer Desiree Markgraaff, had created the most explosive TV show this side of apartheid. A show called “Yizo Yizo”. The show’s title comes from kasi (township) slang, loosely translated as “this is it” or “the real deal”. An apt title for a series that didn’t shy away from showing the gritty, hard knock life and realities of a township school and its students. The show also didn’t sugar coat its portrayal of the social problems rife in that environment – lack of resources, some teachers’ indifference, rape, HIV/AIDS, abuse, gangsterism, drugs, prostitution, a culture of violence that was Apartheid’s legacy. Problems the majority of South Africans recognised and could relate to because they had encountered them in some form or other.

Yizo Yizo truly revolutionised South African television. And as with every revolution, there are those who would seek to quell it. Parents were up in arms over the graphic content and vulgar (but realistic) language. The programme was even tabled for discussion in South Africa’s Parliament! Even Boom Shaka’s kwaitofied rendition of that most sacred of holy cows, South Africa’s national anthem, was never debated in Parliament.

But while Yizo Yizo was stirring up a “debate in the national interest” about its content, it was also garnering global accolades, and was screened at festivals in London, Rotterdam, New York and Barcelona. Not bad for a show which cast unknown and mostly inexperienced young actors in its most important roles. So dankie Yizo Yizo for depicting kasi life raw, uncensored and as is. It’s just a pity that the government hasn’t done nearly enough in 14 years to significantly improve those conditions.

-Jabulani (@papa_action)

So who is Jabulani? Jabulani has no interests but interests. He’s a film freak, hip hop head, kwaito connoisseur, general groupie of all good music, bibliophile and a role model to spoti wearers everywhere. He’s Capetonian born and raised, and lives there but has never been to Ratanga Junction. He also wrote this in the third person. There’s a word for that. 

First film/TV show watched: I can’t remember the first film or TV show I watched. However, the first thing I saw on TV was the SABC test pattern. I remember watching that like it was the season finale of Game of Thrones.  

Favourite film/TV show: This is a tough one. So many. I’d have to say The Shield is my favourite TV show – it was such a visceral experience with complex and fleshed out characters that you actually cared about. In terms of movie, it’s The Usual Suspects. Every performance - even the small ones - were flawless.