Award-Winning Documentary And She Didn’t Die to Screen at MIP Africa’s Inaugural Doc Night

The critically acclaimed feature documentary And She Didn’t Die will screen on Tuesday, 2 September 2025, at MIP Africa’s inaugural documentary night, hosted at The Labia Theatre in Cape Town. This poignant film, directed by Kethiwe Ngcobo, chronicles the remarkable life and political journey of her mother, South African writer and activist Lauretta Ngcobo.

A Poignant Exploration of Memory and Identity

The documentary offers a profound reflection on memory, archive, and belonging, highlighting the silencing of women’s voices during apartheid. With the current global challenges around journalistic freedom, the film resonates powerfully as it intertwines personal storytelling with broader historical consciousness.

The narrative unfolds through a non-linear structure that mirrors memory’s fragmented nature, beginning with Lauretta’s own words: “Without memory, there is vacant space.”

Critical Acclaim and Awards

And She Didn’t Die has received major recognition, winning the Ronelle Loots Award for Best Editing in a South African Documentary at the 27th Encounters South African International Documentary Festival, and earning runner-up for the Encounters Al Jazeera Best African Feature Award.

The editing jury — Catherine Meyburgh, Nikki Comninos, and Yoav Dagan — praised the film’s “masterful command of rhythm and pace,” describing it as a deeply felt cinematic experience that weaves archive, voiceover, and moments of humour.

Meanwhile, the African Feature jury — Nataleah Hunter-Young, Sihle Hlophe, and Samuel Lutaaya Tebandeke — called it:

“A captivating visual love letter from a daughter to a mother… Ngcobo has captured the nuances of the relationship between mother and daughter intricately, subtly. She is a masterful director and the gift of storytelling flows through her veins.”

Lauretta Ngcobo’s Legacy

Lauretta Ngcobo was a pioneering South African feminist writer and activist. Her political work against apartheid forced her into exile through Swaziland and Zambia before settling in the UK. There, she established herself as an influential author, chronicling the lived experiences of black women during apartheid with raw authenticity.

UK film publication Eye for Film highlighted how the documentary enriches the narrative by including Kethiwe Ngcobo’s own reflections, while Sheffield’s Exposed Magazine praised the blending of recollections, re-enactments, interviews, and Lauretta’s own writing.

Screening Details

The screening of And She Didn’t Die will take place at The Labia Theatre, Cape Town, on Tuesday, 2 September 2025, at 6pm.
🎟️ Tickets available here.

Supported by Leading Film Institutions

The film was made possible with support from the National Film and Video Foundation, KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority, Gauteng Film Commission, The Red Sea Fund, and Bertha Foundation.