Three Star College Grade 11 pupils’ documentary about a fellow pupil’s struggle against the odds has won an award.
The three-minute film about Xhanti Xamata, a Grade 8 pupil from Khayelitsha, won gold at the International Greenwich Olympiad in London in July.
Xhanti Xamata is about how Xhanti’s determination, courage, and relentless pursuit of education, while growing up in poverty in Khayelitsha, secured him a 100% scholarship at Star College in Bridgetown.
“It’s been a pleasure being part of this because the main aim of this documentary was to inspire other learners to work hard, and I feel this documentary did justice in doing just that. No matter where you come from, you’ll always succeed in life if you put in the effort,” said 13-year-old Xhanti.
Yusuf Khan, the 17-year-old pupil who directed the doccie, said it had given him a fresh perspective on life.
“People in the same school as me coming from completely different backgrounds proves that we are not all on the same playing field, and it also taught me that Xhanti has to work 10 times harder to achieve his goals, which truly inspires me. We went into this to enter a competition, but it honestly left me inspired and I have a whole new outlook on life.”
The film’s producer, Zaid Chokda, 17, said: “I am honoured to be part of such an amazing project because I feel this small film can make an impact in so many people’s lives. It truly opened my eyes.”
Teacher Sahien Karaslaan said the project had shown the power of film.
“It taught us all to be more grateful of the world around us as well as to open ourselves up to more opportunities. I am proud of the boys for stepping outside of their comfort zone to inspire positivity, and the responses we got were beyond what we could’ve hoped for.”