e'Lollipop, the classic South African movie about friendship across the colour line during the apartheid era, is being released on DVD and video, 29 years after it first became a blockbuster shown in more than 40 countries. A follow-up movie is also planned, with a portion of proceeds donated to an orphanage. The original film tells the story of the friendship between Jannie, an orphaned young white boy played by Norman Knox, and his black friend Tsepo played by Muntu Ndebele, and how the relationship ends with Tsepo giving up his life for his friend.
The new movie will follow the two child stars' into adulthood from apartheid to democratic South Africa. Peter Bishai, a New York writer and director, recently met Andre Pieterse, the original producer of e'Lollipop. Peter wrote an account of Muntu's real-life road to ruin and his comeback and renewed friendship with Norman. Filming is expected to start in August. Soweto-born Muntu now works as an actor for Ma Afrika films and lives in Midrand with his fiancée Wendy. He also appeared in Zulu Dawn, with Burt Lancaster and Peter O'Toole. After e'Lollipop, he had planned to go back to school to complete Matric so he could take up a university bursary given to him and Norman by Andre. However, some pupils were caught cheating during the examis, resulting in the school's entire Matric pupils being penalised. Muntu became depressed. He was 14 when the movie was made. He was told about auditions at the Carlton Centre by the late Simon Sabele, who played a traditional healer in the film. Muntu chose Norman (then 10) out of a group of boys and told the producer and director he wanted him to play Jannie. Norman, a former Mondeor High School pupil, was harassed because of his friendship with Muntu. He turned to crime and drugs. Eventually he left Johannesburg to study in Stellenbosch, before living in Cape Town. Five years ago he put a letter in the Sowetan newspaper and received a call from Muntu's sister, Lindi, who said he did not want to be found. Norman persisted and found Muntu living in a derelict flat in Hillbrow. After an emotional reunion, Andre, Norman and Muntu's family helped him get back on track.
