Experiencing Interruptions?

PENDA The Girl Who Changed A Country

A twelve-year old girl named PENDA, has been saving up money in her piggy-banks for the last 30 months, in order to travel to prison to meet her father for the very first time in her life. She has one more year to go before she finally meets him. When Penda's best friends, who are refugees, are rejected by the school system for lack of proper immigration documents, Penda takes the matter into her own hands. She establishes an afternoon class in her neighbourhood for the children rejected by the formal school system. She resolves to spend all her hard-earned savings and defer her dream of meeting her father. Through her actions, the twelve-year old changes the country's attitude towards immigrants and is celebrated as the girl that changed the country.

PENDA is a Swahili name, which means LOVE. Swahili is a language spoken predominantly in East Africa.

  • Ndaba ka Ngwane
    Director
  • Ndaba ka Ngwane
    Writer
  • Ndaba ka Ngwane
    Producer
  • Bongani Gumede
    Key Cast
    "Bunu"
  • Thandeka Kate
    Key Cast
    "Nzadi"
  • Lee Mtolo
    Key Cast
    "Penda"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    22 minutes 37 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    October 1, 2020
  • Production Budget:
    17,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    South Africa
  • Country of Filming:
    South Africa
  • Language:
    Zulu
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Across The Globe Film Festival
    New York and Stockholm
    United States
    December 21, 2020
    World
    1. Award Winner - Best Actress in a Leading Role for ANDISWA MSOMI 2. Award for Best actress in a Supporting Role for THANDEKA KATE 3. Nominated for Best Short Film
Distribution Information
  • ZA BANTU STUDIOS
    Distributor
    Country: South Africa
    Rights: All Rights
Director Biography - Ndaba ka Ngwane

Ndaba ka Ngwane is a multi-award winning filmmaker, author, playwright and actor. His debut feature film UHLANGA THE MARK had a successful international film festival tour, scooping a total of seven (7) awards. The film was selected as the opening film for the Africa-In-Motion film festival (Edinburg 2012). His Made-For-TV film THE RED CANDLE was commissioned and released in 2020 by Mnet, a South African television channel. Ndaba has also written, produced and directed three short films PRU; BANANA; and PENDA - The Girl Who Changed A Country.

He has also featured as an actor in various film and television productions in his home country of South Africa, including the number one daily series GENERATIONS - THE LEGACY; ISIBAYA; and a Bollywood series MEHEK where he played the head of the first African family in a Bollywood series. He played the role of Eddie. Ndaba is also a screenwriting facilitator.

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Director Statement

The primary objective of the film is to encourage discussion amongst international audiences on different themes explored in the film including abset fathers, xenophobia and prejudice, while apppreciating the artistic and creative work of the film.