And so the story goes..…
- The Original Brander
- Sep 4, 2024
- 2 min read
It was a hot summer afternoon. Just fetched my bickering babies from school and opened the door to the landline ringing off the hook. The irritation in my voice was evident when I said hello.
It was my mother’s colleague and friend from the school she taught at. Aunty Salo was also the woman who dressed me for my wedding.
On my wedding day, when she had finally placed the veil on my head, she smiled at me with such love and pride, I almost cried. I walked carefully to the mirror, afraid to move anything out of place. I saw my reflection and didn’t recognize the young woman looking back at me. I felt beautiful and radiated the vitality of the feminine about to be joined with the man she loved.
“Thank you Aunty Salo” came out of me in a whisper and then I asked “ How can I repay you?”
She assured me that I shouldn’t worry about that on my wedding day, but one day she would call me if she needed me.
And that hot and harassed afternoon she did!
She needed me to visit her niece and have a chat with her and then make a movie on her life. “Really?” ……I think my mother and her friends are getting too old now, but I loved them and I made a promise on my wedding day…..so I did visit Meena.
This visit took me on a journey of love, dedicated hard work, dogged perseverance, tears and a sense of achievement which changed the core of who I am. My soul developed a muscle that I didn’t know a soul could have. Meeting Meena was so inspiring that I couldn’t help but make yet another promise and make her movie.
At the time my husband, also my business partner, and I, had just about started our new Film Production and Accredited Film Training Company called East Coast Media. We were flushed with the excitement of opportunities in the new South Africa. It was the brazen enthusiasm of youth that drove our passion to succeed in a very niche industry. Vikash brought his years of media experience including working with the SABC [South African Broadcasting Authority] for ENG News. He was placed in many dangerous situations both in South Africa and abroad. Often putting his life in danger as a Director / Camerman, getting the news to the people of South Africa.
My passion is writing, my forte is Producing and the business of film. Together, inspired by the story of Meena, we brought GREYTOWN GIRL to the screen.
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