Born in Boksburg in 1921, Jacobus Johannes ‘Jamie’ Uys became an internationally acclaimed director with 24 films to his credit. His features and documentaries included Funny People, Animals are Beautiful People and, of course, The Gods Must Be Crazy. He died in Johannesburg in 1996.

This mini-drama was produced by the Apartheid State. Narrated in a pseudo-African accent, it is an effort to discredit traditional African beliefs. A man, Masava, wishing to gain strength consults a witch doctor. He is advised to kill a young girl, a twin, and eat her heart. The tale is taken up by the girl’s father, we learn of his unsuccessful attempt to take revenge on Masava and his subsequent incarceration in parts of prison. His rehabilitation includes the realisation that witchdoctors have no real power.

It is awesome to reflect upon the arrogance of the makers, to believe that rural Africans would be convinced by such a plot. It is awfully revealing to see from whence Jamie The Gods Must be Crazy Uys hails.