A local KZN documentary will make its international debut in the United Kingdom in June, following its recent critical acclaim.
The KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority (KZNTAFA) said that it plays a crucial role in influencing the South African creative economy, as evidenced by its recent backing of She Didn’t Die, a locally produced documentary that has garnered international acclaim.
The production of She Didn’t Die, produced by filmmaker Khethiwe Ngcobo, about her mother Lauretta Ngcobo, was made possible through financial support from the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority, which said its mandate is to drive the development and global visibility of the province’s film and tourism sectors.
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“KZN Tourism and Film’s investment in the film reflects its broader commitment to empowering local storytellers and ensuring authentic, homegrown content reaches both domestic and international audiences,” said Sibusiso Gumbi, Acting CEO for KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority.
We are incredibly proud to support this documentary and Ms Ngcobo’s work embodies the kind of creative excellence and cultural preservation that the Authority stands behind. She Didn’t Die is more than a documentary, it is a powerful archive of South African memory, heritage, and identity, told brilliantly by a KZN filmmaker.
The documentary will have its debut screening at two prestigious festivals in June 2025: the Encounters South African International Documentary Festival (June 19 – 29) in Cape Town and Johannesburg, and the Sheffield Documentary Festival in the United Kingdom from June 18 to 23.
She Didn’t Die is described as a poignant tribute to the producer’s mother, a renowned author, political activist, and parliamentarian who served in the KZN Legislature from the years, 2000-2009.
“Through projects like this, we continue to position KwaZulu-Natal as a hub for world-class storytelling. The entity has also sponsored and is proud to associate with Music is My Life – a documentary on Joseph Shabalala and Ladysmith Black Mambazo, which was nominated in the Best International Feature Film category at the 96th Academy Awards.”
Drawing inspiration from Lauretta’s landmark novel And They Didn’t Die, the documentary captures the life of a woman whose voice and legacy continue to shape South Africa’s literary and political landscape.
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Her father, Abednego Bhekabantu Ngcobo, is played by Lemogang Tsipa (who acts as Shaka in Shaka Lembe) and the mother is played by famous actress Busisiwe Mtshali.
Through archival material, interviews, and striking visuals shot in uMzimkhulu and around iNanda Dam, the film not only honours Lauretta’s legacy but also elevates the broader narrative of South African women’s resilience during and after apartheid.
Ngcobo, who has built a career on telling socially relevant and emotionally layered stories, thanked KZN Tourism and Film Authority for their backing.
“This film would not have been possible without the support of KZNTAFA,” she said.
“They have been a consistent ally in my creative journey, and their support has allowed me to bring this deeply personal and nationally significant story to life.”
