SABC Education doccie wins international award

The winning episode, directed by Robin Newell, was selected from 209 films submitted by countries all over the world, including Australia, Canada, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Honduras, India, Kenya, New Guinea, New Zealand, People’s Republic of China, Spain, Switzerland, Trinidad, Tobago, Uganda, UK and US.

The documentary, filmed in South Africa, tells the story of water that forms the basis of all that we are everything we do. Some parts of Africa are desperately short of clean water or sometimes any water at all, while others suffer from over-abundance. When need meets with a spirit of innovation, the results can be truly amazing in their simple design for maximum effectiveness.

Masetha Serakoana, SABC Educations commissioning editor, says, “This acknowledgment is dedicated to the late Johan Venter who passed away just before the show was broadcast last year. Johan was commissioning editor for Ingenious Africa.”

Stories from the Field originated in 2004 when the United Nations (UN) entered its 60th year. Its mission is to screen films that reflect the UN Millennium Development Goals, which pledge to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, achieve universal primary education, promote gender equality and empower women, reduce child mortality, improve maternal health, combat HIV and AIDS, malaria and other diseases, ensure environmental sustainability and develop a global partnership for development.

“The festival spotlights the world beyond our borders, revealing the day-to-day realities of millions in the developing world. The films screened show how ordinary people are working to make the world a better place; this criterion is exactly what Ingenious Africa is,” concludes Masetha.