The Meyiwa Family is seething with fury after the documentary about their murdered son, Senzo Meyiwa, won at the SAFTAs on Saturday.
Senzo Meyiwa Documentary Wins A SAFTA
On 30 September 2023, Senzo: Murder of a Soccer Star scooped the Best Made For TV Documentary gong at the South African Film and Television Awards. StoryScope Production and Real Eyes Productions produced the documentary, and Netflix distributed it.
Senzo: Murder of a Soccer Star digs into the evidence about who killed the Bafana Bafana goalkeeper. It features Irene Meyiwa, Senzo’s mother; Sifiso Meyiwa (brother); Robert Marawa, investigative journalist Mzilikazi Wa Afrika; prosecutor Gerrie Nel; and Tumelo Madlala, Senzo’s best friend.
Senzo Meyiwa Family Incensed By SAFTAs Win
Despite the documentary winning a SAFTA, Senzo Meyiwa’s family is furious over the gong. The Meyiwa family, who are still seeking justice for the murder of their son, expressed disappointment at the SAFTAs for honouring the documentary.
Meyiwa Family Slams SAFTAs As Senzo Documentary Wins [Image: Netflix]
They accused the SAFTAs of being insensitive and disrespectful to their pain and suffering. The Meyiwa family claimed that the documentary was a “slap in the face” and a “mockery” of their quest for truth and closure, Daily Sun reported. They said they felt betrayed and insulted by the SAFTAs for giving an award to a documentary that they believe is full of lies and cover-ups.
The Meyiwa family said they will not watch or support any SAFTA-related events or programs in the future. They also called for a boycott of the documentary and urged the public not to watch it or believe its contents.
The SAFTAs React
The SAFTAs defended their decision to award the documentary based on its “artistic merit” and “social relevance”. They said they respect the Meyiwa family’s right to express their opinion, but they also appreciate the filmmakers’ freedom of expression and creativity. The SAFTAs did not intend to hurt or offend anyone with their choice of winners. They wanted to celebrate the excellence and diversity of the film and television industry in Mzansi.
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The Meyiwa family has previously expressed reservations over the sprouting of documentaries on the late goalie.
Last year, a second documentary, Senzo Meyiwa: The Second Docket, produced by Zakhele Shiba, was on the cards. The Meyiwa family swore to block it, revealing that the producers did not consult them.
Senzo’s brother, Sifiso Meyiwa said:
“I came to know about this when someone sent me the poster talking about the documentary and soon got a call from Shiba. We are not going to allow any documentary on Senzo without our approval. People have seen an opportunity to make money out of my brother’s death.”