Osa Archivum Catalog

Orphans of Nkandla

Summary: Through intimate verité footage shot in South Africa during 2003 and 2005, "Orphans of Nkandla" chronicles a tale of heartbreaking pathos and breathtaking beauty, as we witness human tragedy unfurl against a backdrop of vast landscapes and rustic poverty in rural Zululand. Where the tarmac ends, so does the running water and electricity; nutritious food is a luxury; and medical choices are made on cost and availability rather than necessity.The girls and boys we meet live in the rural village of Nklanda, situated north of the South African city of Durban. These children share a common burden: one or both of their parents have died of AIDS, and they must now care for siblings and, in some cases, an infected parent. The film includes numerous scenes in which sisters and brothers are forced to forsake simple childhood pleasures in order to survive. Despite its grim subject matter, "Orphans of Nkandla" provides a measure of hope, primarily through the person of Sister Hedwig, a nun who works at the local hospital. Travelling tirelessly around the countryside in her truck, Sister Hegwick helps the orphans cope with their loss and grief, at the same time trying to relocate them in relatives' homes while getting the government to provide them with grants that will pay for their education. As we see, Sister Hedwick's efforts are sometimes rewarded, although the specter of AIDS is constantly clouding each of the children's future horizons.

Item Type	Current Location	Call Number	Status	Shelving Location	Public Note
DVD-ROM	OSA Film Library	FL Record 0655	Available	-	-
Digital film	OSA Film Library	FL Record 0655 (HU_OSA_00002386.mp4)	Available		Access Copy, MP4 format