Tsotsi

After the post –apartheid era, the landscape of South Africa changed. But still many forms of social dysfunction and crimes within ethnic groups took center stage. It continues to plague the lower class people and draws them to different criminal activities. “Tsotsi” is a story of a young gangster who grows up in the streets after running away from the domestic violence. Living in the outskirts of Johannesburg, he stays above the poverty line by assaulting rich people at gunpoint. In such a brutal environment, he develops a remorseless persona. But as events unfold later in the movie, his remorseless persona takes a jolt in the stomach and turns him from a menacing criminal who does not have any chance for redemption to well, human.

After the post apartheid time, even though the racial discrimination which existed had ceased, people still are struggling in South Africa to surface above the intransigent poverty. Millions of people live in the outskirts of big cities like Johannesburg. To get away from the reality of the condition of life in those slumps, people resort to drinking. The “Teacher” in the movie, portrays the struggle of an educated yet poor person who resorts to drinking to forget the reality.

Violence is also another aspect which breeds out of poverty. Use of violence in the streets is a way of survival for the people living in the slumps. Starting from threatening people on gunpoint to extort money to carjacking and even murdering someone is evident and prominent in the society. These forms of violence contribute largely towards increasing crime rates in the country and deteriorate living conditions. But many people living under the poverty line see them as opportunities. The character of Lena, the car parts dealer, buys stolen cars from gang members and runs a successful organized business employing wannabe gang members in his crew.

South Africa has the highest number of HIV/AIDS infected people in the world. The growing number of infected people is a huge concern for the government. To enhance knowledge about the deadly disease and protect the citizens, large billboard can be seen at public locations encouraging people to get tested. Despite governmental efforts to raise awareness, there is a “taboo” associated with the disease itself and people infected of the disease. Any kind of association with infected people is considered by many as a threat and staying away is the only way to avoid the risk of being transmitted.

The movie “Tsotsi” focused on the black of people in Johannesburg and portrayed both ends of social spectrum. In one hand, there is a wealthy family who can afford the very best in terms of living conditions, luxury while the people living in the outskirts of Johannesburg feature the worst living condition. The director used such contrasting situation to portray how even after the apartheid era and economical development, the social condition and poverty has not declined in South Africa.