South Africans can expect to watch a number of Leon Schuster movies, previously deemed “racially insensitive”, on their TV screens this December.
This comes after KykNET’s Schuster documentary producer Rian van Heerden labelled the South African comedian a “national treasure”.
In August, DStv officially lifted the five-year ban on the movies, many of which the now 74-year-old had appeared in, wearing blackface.
South Africa’s funnyman is known for his onscreen candid camera pranks in his career spanning almost four decades.
KYKNET TO BROADCAST THESE LEON SCHUSTER MOVIES
In recent weeks, KykNET has wrapped up a docuseries about the life of Leon Schuster.
In celebration of the comedian, the Afrikaans channel is also expected to broadcast several of his popular films, previously deemed “racially insensitive” in December.
Here’s a look at the programming of the films set to air.
- Oh, Schucks, It’s Schuster – 6 December at 20:00
- Sweet n Short – 13 December at 20:00
- There’s a Zulu on My Stoep – 20 December at 20:00
- Oh Schucks, I’m Gatvol – 27 December at 20:00
In many, if not all, of the films, Schuster is accused of appropriating other races and practicing the controversial act of blackface.
The movies, as well as others, which include Mr Bones, Mr Bones 2: Back from the Past, and Mama Jack, were officially banned by DStv’s parent organisation, Multichoice, in 2020 amid the Black Lives Matter movement.
‘NATIONAL TREASURE’
The producer behind Leon Schuster’s KykNET docuseries – Rian van Heerden – justified why South Africans should celebrate the comedian’s films and contribution to South Africa.
He said: “Leon Schuster is a national treasure and probably, after Madiba, across generations, the most famous person in South Africa.”
He added that Schuster “was undoubtedly one of my favorite heroes and regardless of what culture you came from, he could make you laugh until your stomach ached.”
This comes after Schuster was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Silwerskermfees in August.
LEON SCHUSTER: ‘I DON’T SEE RACE IN MY HEART’
Following Multichoice’s ban in 2020, Leon Schuster expressed his disappointment.
He said at the time: “I try to bring people together with laughter. There is no race in my heart. I don’t see black, white, pink, or purple – I just see a person.
“If they are in my region when I do candid camera, I go for whoever it is… I don’t have a preference to one race.
“There has never been racism in any of the stuff that I’ve done. My heart is that of a living and loving South African.”
Schuster later conceded that practicing blackface was “racist” and committed himself to understanding the criticism of South African viewers.
