Kevin Harris Documentaries Part 1 (1979 to 1997)

All DOCUMENTARY FILM & VIDEO PRODUCTIONS by Kevin Harris (1979 to 2025) – pre / and post the Struggle Against Apartheid in South Africa are available to license for commemorative events / installations and as archive material / footage:

Enquiries to:

Kevin Harris – E-mail:khprod@global.co.za

TITLES AVAILABLE:

BARA – [1979]:

This is the documentary that resulted in Kevin Harris being fired from SABC TV in October 1979. SABC Management ordered Harris to remove scenes showing conditions in Soweto to which instruction Harris responded by telling Management that he would make the cuts as ordered. Harris then deliberately deceived Management into believing that he had made the cuts as instructed whilst ensuring that the documentary was broadcast uncut. In this way BARA was broadcast totally uncut and uncensored on SABC TV on 9th October 1979. Harris was fired within 24 hours of broadcast which marked the beginning of his career as an independent South African film maker. For more context and background to the incident go to / view “SABC TV – 20 Years – the untold story” –     • SABC TV   20 YEARS – the untold story  

Jimmy Cliff – Live at Orlando Stadium, Soweto – [1980]:

Produced by Paul Cockburn & Edited by Kevin Harris – May 1980

“This we can do for Justice & for Peace” – [1981 / 1982]:
58 minute feature documentary on the perspectives of Bishop Desmond Tutu, the Rev Peter Storey & the role of the South African Council of Churches in the fight against apartheid in South Africa during the 1980s

This film set new precedents regarding censorship of political documentaries in South Africa, having successfully fought on appeal thirteen cuts imposed by the Publications Control Board in 1982.

Broadcast by NBC New York under the title, “Land of fear, Land of Courage”,
the film was awarded two Emmy Awards.

“The Right Time” – 45 minutes – [1983]:
Workshopped with the township-youth, this film examines many facets of teenage- life in the townships including issues such as sexuality, rape and unwanted teenage pregnancies.

“If God be for us …” – [1983]:
40 minutes – looks at the operation of the SACC with regard to home & family life, the plight of “relocated” families, political prisoners & detainees & those banned & banished to the desolate Bantustans.

“No Middle Road to Freedom” – [1984 / 1985]:
Set against the backdrop of the Maseru onslaught by the SADF in December 1982 and the commemoration service held in SOWETO on 16th December 1982 – reflects on the increasing violent tensions and the pattern of “tit-for-tat” violence emerging in South African society.

“The Struggle from Within” – [1984 / 1985]:
45 minutes – looks at events in South Africa precipitated by the announcement of the Nationalist Government’s intention the implement their “new constitution” & tri-cameral parliament in 1984.

Looking at the rise of the UDF in response, the film traces events from the “referendum” of November 1983 to the aftermath of the anti-rent-increase demonstrations in the Black townships of the Vaal Triangle in September & October 1984.

“Tomorrow’s Parents” – 60 minutes – [1986]:
workshopped with the township-youth during the first “State-of-Emergency” in 1985, this film examines many facets of life in the townships including involvement in the struggle against Apartheid and the breakdown in “parent-child” communication in the townships.

“South Africa Now” – [1986 – 1987]

This alternative series of documentary reports on Apartheid South Africa produced during the “state of emergency” in 1986 & 1987 formed the basis for the alternative documentary series subsequently broadcast on PBS in the USA under the title “South Africa Now” . (Episodes 1, 2, 3 & 4 – June 1986 to July 1987).
This series challenged the nature & content of mainstream network coverage of Apartheid South Africa by USA networks from 1987 to 1990.

Episode 1 – June 1986:
Comprised of the following three reports:
“Police Brutality in Bophutatswana”; “The Death [ in police-custody ] of Petrus Nchabeleng”;
“Consumer Boycotts”.

Dr Fabian Ribiero – Police brutality – Mamelodi 1986                                                                             Excerpt from the report on police brutality under the State of Emergency in 1986 by Kevin Harris from his South Africa Now series. . Featuring Dr Fabian Ribiero treating youths brutalised by police in Mamelodi Township & the first attempt on Dr Ribiero’s life by the SA Security Forces. Dr Ribiero & his wife Florence were subsequently assassinated by an Apartheid hit-squad later that year.

Episode 2 – June 1986:
Comprised of the following two reports:
“Whites Against Apartheid”; “Peoples’ Education for Peoples’ Power”.

Episode 3 – December 1986
Comprised of the following two reports:
“Calling for Pressure”; “Children in Detention”.

Episode 4 – July 1987

Comprised of the following two reports:
“Behind ‘Black-on-Black’”; “UDF – Last Beleaguered Hope”.

“Namibia – no easy Road to Freedom” – [1988]:
( seized by the South African Security Police in 1988 in an unsuccessful attempt to prevent international distribution ) – 58 minutes. This documentary looks at the harsh realities suffered by Namibia’s civilian population under a history of colonial occupation & specifically under military occupation by the South African Security Forces. The film achieved “Finalist Status” at the International Film & Video Festival of New York & was awarded a Silver Award at the Houston International Film Festival for 1989.

“Not yet Free” – [1989]:
20 minute portrait of the life of a “restricted person” – released from detention but living under security restrictions in SOWETO.

“Cry of Reason – Beyers Naude, An Afrikaner speaks out” – 60 minutes – [1989]:

Director & co-producer of this USA documentary focusing on the life of Dr Beyers Naude – nominated for an Oscar at the 1989 Academy Awards.

“Namibia – Rebirth of a Nation” – [1990]:
45 minute documentary awarded on post-independence Namibia which received “Finalist Status” at the International Film & Video Festival of New York.

Violence in South Africa – (1990 to 1994) – response of the churches

Produced for ZDF German Television – the churches response to the violence that wracked South Africa in the buildup to the first Democratic Elections 0f 1994. (Premix with no titles – interviews conducted in English)

https://studio.youtube.com/video/csVDB9A9hdU

“Education – a basic human right” – [1992]:
the 45 minute documentary on the education crisis in Apartheid South Africa.

“Beyond the Darkness – education for all” – [1993]:
the 45 minute documentary on ABET [ Adult Basic education & Training ].

“Our Children Our Future” – Ep 1 of 4 – Education in SA – the status / way forward – [1994] Episode 1 in the 4 x part documentary series on the status of education and the way forward with democracy in 1994.

“The busses are coming” – Ep 2 of 4 – Education in SA – the status / way forward – [1994] Episode 2 in the 4 x part documentary series on the status of education and the way forward with democracy in 1994.

OF COURAGE & CONSEQUENCE – Kevin Harris – (1995)

“Of Courage & Consequence” is a personal testimony from across the spectrum of South African youth on the bitter-sweet realities of growing up as young South Africans in the wake of the apartheid era; what they have experienced over the past two decades and the position that they find themselves in today. As such, the documentary profiles youth from different walks of life – across a spectrum including an ex- SADF National Serviceman, an MK freedom-fighter, an [SDU] Self-defense-Unit Commander and an emerging young new-Afrikaner businessman. “Of Courage & Consequence” is a call for South Africans to acknowledge the horrors of their immediate past in order that they may lay to rest the ghosts that haunt their national psyche. 

“MARGINS” – the four-part drama / documentary series comprised of                     

1] “YOUNGBLOOD” – gives expression to contemporary concerned young black opinion on issues of teen-age pregnancy, child abuse, teenage sexuality, rape & AIDS against the backdrop of crime & violence that make up present-day township life. 

2] “VISIONS OF STREET-WRITERS” – workshopped with six “street-writers” reflecting on circumstances that lead to & are an integral part of the homeless & destitute. 

VISIONS OF STREET WRITERS – Episode 1 of 2 – Kevin Harris – (1996)

“Visions of Street Writers” is a 2 x part documentary in which six Homeless Talk Newspaper writers workshop, develop and write a dramatised television narrative Produced & Directed by Kevin Harris. The six “street-writers” draw on their own personal experiences to reflect and communicate circumstances that lead to and are an integral part of the world of the homeless and destitute. The drama titled, “Noxolo – woman of Courage” tells the story of a young woman who comes to Johannesburg from the Transkei in search of her husband Nyaniso. As the drama unfolds, it takes the viewer into worlds unknown to the fortunate – but familiar to the multitude in this country who have slid down the slippery slope to homelessness and destitution. In the process, the six “street-writers” comment on their own lives and the circumstances that led them to the streets whilst reflecting on the characters, worlds and developments depicted through the dramatisation of “Noxolo – woman of courage”. The “street-writers” are: Otis Finck, Frank Nxumalo, Armstrong Baduza, Linda Bokwana, Boetie Damane & Michael Zwane. The ultimate triumph of Noxolo in the face of adversity resonates with the personal determination and courage of the six writers conveyed through “Visions of Street-writers”. Featuring Mamokete Dlamini as Noxolo & Japan Mthembu as Nyaniso. Also featuring Ramolao Makhene, Grace Mahlaba, Robin Smith and Winnie Leemisa. Produced by Kevin Harris in 1996.

VISIONS OF STREET WRITERS – Episode 2 of 2