“And She Didn’t Die” is a poignant feature documentary revealing the intricacies and difficulties of the harsh silencing of women’s voices during apartheid. As the world currently sees the silencing of journalistic integrity, this documentary represents the deeply intertwined themes of memory, archive, and belonging, and offers a profound exploration of identity and historical consciousness.
The critically acclaimed documentary “And She Didn’t Die” will screen on Tuesday, 2 September 2025, as part of MIP Africa’s inaugural documentary night. This film chronicles the journey of South African writer and activist Lauretta Ngcobo, as told by her daughter, filmmaker Kethiwe Ngcobo.
“Without memory, there is vacant space,” reads the opening quote by Lauretta Ngcobo herself, perfectly capturing the documentary’s mission to preserve both personal and political history through a non-linear narrative structure that mirrors memory’s fragmented nature.
“And She Didn’t Die” garnered significant South African acclaim at the 27th Encounters South African International Documentary Festival, winning the Ronelle Loots Awards for Best Editing in South African Documentary and serving as runner-up for the Encounters Al Jazeera Awards for Best African Feature.
The editing jury, comprising Catherine Meyburgh, Nikki Comninos, and Yoav Dagan, praised the film’s “masterful command of rhythm and pace” and noted: “The film’s rhythmic sophistication reveals an editor who understands that great editing is felt as much as it is seen. The film’s beauty lies in the integrated use of archive, voiceover, and – at times – humour, making the history and heritage of our country deeply understood.”
For the African Feature award, jurors Nataleah Hunter-Young, Sihle Hlophe, and Samuel Lutaaya Tebandeke described it as: “A captivating visual love letter from a daughter to a mother… This is a fitting tribute, a timely film, a visual feast. 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 was a pioneering South African writer whose dangerous political work led to her escape from South Africa through Swaziland and Zambia, and ultimately to exile in the UK. There, she found her voice as a feminist writer, capturing the lived experiences of black women during apartheid in a raw and authentic manner that continues to resonate today.
UK film publication Eye for Film noted: “As Kethiwe weaves together her mother’s story, she also considers her family’s part within it and the film is considerably richer for the documentarian’s decision to give her own doubts and thoughts some space.”
Sheffield’s Exposed Magazine added: “The film skilfully blends recollections and re-enactments from Lauretta Ngcobo’s life. It feels fitting that her daughter should be the one to tell this story – but there are also illuminating interviews and excerpts from Lauretta’s writing that complement the wider reflections on her legacy.”
The film will be screened at The Labia Theatre, in Cape Town on Tuesday 2 September, 6pm (Ticket link).
This powerful film was supported by the National Film and Video Foundation, KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority, Gauteng Film Commission, The Red Sea Fund, and Bertha Foundation.