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The Citizen
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Oscar-Nominated 'The Last Ranger' Reveals Poaching Reality
Oscar-nominated film explores the cost of conservation and the value of the rhino. A week ago, I had the privilege of attending the Johannesburg premiere of the Oscar-nominated short film 'The Last Ranger', a powerful film that highlights endangered rhinos and South Africa's poaching crisis while exploring the emotional and ecological realities of rhino poaching in the country. The film has not only captivated international audiences, earning a nomination for Best Live Action Short Film at the 97th Academy Awards, but it has also ignited an important conversation about wildlife conservation and the challenges faced by local filmmakers. True story The last Ranger. Picture: Supplied Based on true events and told largely in isiXhosa, The Last Ranger follows Khuselwa, a committed game ranger in the Eastern Cape, and Litha, a curious young Xhosa girl who becomes her apprentice. Together, they represent two generations grappling with the dangers of poaching and the cultural weight of protecting one of the world's most endangered animals, the rhino. 'This isn't just a film; it's a window into a world many of us rarely see,' said Maluṱa Netshaulu, head of social impact portfolio development at Nedbank, who spoke at the premiere. ALSO READ:BET, MTV Africa and other channels may shut down as Paramount reviews strategy 'It's a reminder of the massive costs, both monetary and emotional, that conservation demands.' Although The Last Ranger didn't take home the Oscar, its impact is undeniable. Director Cindy Lee and her team at Kindred Films and Studio Aether have delivered a visually arresting and emotionally stirring piece that highlights the intersection of environmental protection, cultural tradition, and socioeconomic factors. From awe to anger Maluṱa Netshaulu, head of social impact portfolio development at Nedbank. Picture: Supplied In a nutshell, you will cry watching it. 'After watching The Last Ranger, I can say with confidence that we're all experiencing a mix of emotions, from awe to sadness and a touch of anger,' said Netshaulu. 'That's the power of good storytelling.' Filmed in remote parts of the Eastern Cape, the production faced numerous challenges, including the high cost of working with animals. The film's rhino star, 'Thandi', was played by multiple animals. Yet the team persevered, determined to show the world what's at stake. The young actress who plays Litha, a 14-year-old with a deep emotional connection to the role, brought added authenticity. 'I tear up easily,' she said at the screening, 'and there were many scenes that made it feel very real. Litha's love for rhinos mirrors my own.' The Last Ranger is also a poignant commentary on the lack of support for the arts in South Africa. Rhino safety While the country has no shortage of compelling stories, many filmmakers struggle to secure the financial backing needed to bring their visions to life. 'Getting funding for a film in South Africa is incredibly hard,' said director Cindy Lee. 'We approached people who believed in the story. And we were lucky that Nedbank and the WWF got behind us.' Speaking to Netshaulu, I learned something new. The involvement extended beyond monetary support. For more than 35 years, the bank has collaborated with WWF through the Green Trust, a flagship conservation fund committed to building sustainable partnerships between nature and communities. This commitment is evident in other impactful projects supported by the trust. Community involvement The Last Ranger cast members. Picture: Supplied In KwaZulu-Natal, the Somkhanda Game Reserve is a Big Five reserve owned entirely by the Gumbi people. 'With Green Trust support, the community receives direct tourism revenue, which funds schools, clinics, and local businesses,' he said. ALSO READ: WATCH: Build One South Africa's Mmusi Maimane's gets his PhD In Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, partnerships between Wildlife ACT, Ezemvelo, and local communities focus on human-wildlife coexistence and support for small-scale entrepreneurs. 'That's how conservation can work for people, not against them,' said Netshaulu. Back in the film, the emotional stakes are high. Khuselwa's role as a ranger is a symbol of strength and sacrifice, and her mentorship of Litha shows the transmission of values across generations. The tension in the film is not just about poachers and rhinos but about survival, identity, hope, and love for the natural surroundings. While it has yet to be released in South African cinemas, its message is already reverberating. The Last Ranger's impact is undeniable. It has opened a much-needed dialogue — not only about wildlife, but about the wild terrain of independent filmmaking in South Africa. It will leave you deeply moved and, perhaps, a little more inspired to protect what's ours.
IOL News
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
DemiMa's musical journey: healing tunes rooted in South African culture
DemiMa returns with her blissful new EP, Duality Pt 2 Peace. Image: Tolu Elusade DemiMa was raised in Southwest London and Kwa-Zulu, South Africa. She identifies as a multidisciplinary artist whose talents range from singing, writing, poetry, ambient soundscaping, event production, and yoga. Her music and wellness work has garnered acclaim from global platforms including BBC Radio 1, NTS, MTV Africa, and Teen Vogue. DemiMa stepped into 2025 with a mindset grounded in serenity, spirituality, and soulful expression. Her latest EP, titled Duality Pt 2 Peace, captures this perfectly. She says, 'I'm a revolutionary. I spend a lot of time thinking about issues. I want to spend time thinking of how those issues can be solved. I don't like to say, 'Oh my gosh, this is so bad.' Even if that thought doesn't necessarily turn into a specific action, I think there is value in simply thinking of those solutions.' When speaking about the issues faced in South Africa, DemiMa brought up the fact that we aren't proud enough of the beautiful culture we already have. 'I hate that in South Africa, we are not proud of our own culture enough. When you go to different places, if there's a food course, you'll have Portuguese food, Greek food, Chinese food, and every other cuisine. We don't celebrate ourselves enough.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Rooted in her passion for yoga and sound therapy, DemiMa first began experimenting with meditative music to enhance her classes. Image: Raymond Amoah Her love for music started at a very young age, and DemiMa recalls that journey very fondly: 'My love for music started when my mother was pregnant with me. She used to play jazz and classical music to her belly. "So it started there. When I came out into the world, I came into a musical family. So I was just surrounded by music all the time.' Being introduced to jazz music so early has stayed with DemiMa and continues to influence her sound today. She adds, 'Yes, definitely. I think for me, jazz is like an exploration of freedom. I definitely aim to include more jazz - more classic jazz -as time develops. As I develop as an artist, I think more jazz influences will be added to my music.' Her pursuit of a music career hasn't always been easy. 'There are always challenges. When I was very young, I was approached by major record labels -probably when I was 16 or 17. Because of my resilience, or my parents being activists, there's something within me that was just very resistant to the capitalist system and the reasoning behind it. I'm not a sell-out," she recalls. "It would've been great in a lot of ways, especially to make a lot of money. But then I would be looking back on the decisions I'd made, potentially, and not be proud of them. I chose the struggling route. It's just more authentic to me. It's definitely been challenging in terms of the industry. "I think the industry is a mess - the music industry is anti-musicians. It literally hates musicians and is only interested in exploiting them. It is hard being an independent artist. I am completely independent and have been the whole time. "I do hope that at some point I will connect with a team that I can collaborate with and share a vision with.' DemiMa's journey is a testament to the power of staying true to one's vision, even when the road is uncertain. With Duality Pt 2 Peace, she holds space for reflection, for softness, for healing. As 2025 unfolds, she's an artist to watch. Through her music, spirituality, and commitment to truth, she offers not just sound but invites us all to pause, breathe, and reconnect with our inner selves.
