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DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT
The making of More Than Just A Game has been an incredible journey. In this regard
I am extremely grateful to the producers, actors, crew and supporters and especially
to five ‘ordinary’ but remarkable fellow South Africans - Anthony Suze, Mark Shinners,
Lizo Sitoto, Sedick Isaacs and Marcus Solomon. The story of More Than Just A Game is
told from their point of view and the opportunity to look at reality through their eyes
was both an educational and dramatic experience for me.
This film also appealed to me because I wanted to be part of a team that showed
another image of Africa- different to the stereotypes that continue to be
misrepresented to and imagined in the minds of many people outside the continent. The fragmented and inaccurate representations of the ‘dark continent’ include that
of being primitive, poor, underdeveloped, violent and covered with jungles. But
Africa abounds with rich and remarkable tapestries of stories that offer fresh insights
about the continent. More Than Just A Game is an example of an inspirational story
that reveals the strength and energy of people when confronted by the worst of
adversities – people such as Tony, Mark, Lizo, Sedick and Marcus. When apartheid
South Africa imprisoned them on Robben Island - the ‘Alcatraz’ of Africa-they
responded to their detention with strength of mind, purpose and determination and
at the same time, topping this with amazing measures of dignity. And on this island-more brutal than they ever imagined- they found refuge in learning and in
comradeship. A philosophy of excellence was applied to every task, no matter how
brutalizing. And ultimately there came the realization that there is humanity to be
reclaimed in sharing a love for sport and fair play.
It was not an easy journey-this request to play soccer on Robben Island. But even
when the authorities relented, recreation was only half the aim. To the prisoners, all
steeped in the ethos of debate, dialogue and negotiation, it was not only essential
that the playing of soccer takes place, but that it was seen to take place in a well
ordered and highly structured manner. The political detainees formed the Makana
Football Association, based on the principles of inclusivity, collective discipline, fair
play, commitment to excellence and FIFA-like technical rigour, rather than
hierarchy, party politics and personality. Being involved in all aspects of soccer- from
administration to playing – enabled the political prisoners to rise above their
incarceration and finding an outlet for their passion and commitment to discipline
through the Beautiful Game.
The collective time that Lizo, Tony, Sedick, Marcus and Mark spent on Robben Island
was almost 75 years. They survived the imprisonment and worse. But their resolve
never wavered. And today, instead of becoming slaves to the economy of power in
a free South Africa, they are busy contributing to the benefit of our society- working
with children, empowering the economy, educating and deepening democracy.
They have made me understand that politics is about people. That they do have the
power, and all they need to do is to engage and reclaim their voice and they can
change the world- even under the most overwhelming of odds.
More Than Just A Game shows the resilience of ordinary people when their lives get
turned upside down by injustice. And that is why it makes me really happy that their
story should be seen by an international audience. Their stories are universally
important not only because they are inspiring but because it can also mobilize us to
contribute towards creating a better world.
Junaid Ahmed
Director
More Than Just A Game
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