Melodi
Melodi (Thuli Nduvane) is a successful banker who was raised by a loving single mother, Sesi (Unathi Guma). She is about to be married to Liyanda (Luluma Nyembezi). Wedding plans are underway and lobola negotiations are about to start.
But all this brings back old wounds and deep feelings of abandonment. Why did her father, Mojalefa (Tshepo Maseko), abandon her as a baby? Melodi decides to deal with the pain of her past by searching for a father she never knew, before making a commitment of her own. Will this journey bring her healing?
Melodi is one of the Heartlines Fathers Matter films released in 2022 and is in isiXhosa and Sesotho, with subtitles in English.
Looking for the film discussion guides? Click here.
Watch the movie
If you need to use the film offline for a showing or discussion group, you can download it below. Please note that copyright applies to all the Fathers Matter films.
Hosting a viewing for Melodi?
We have some great questions to help you continue the conversation once you've watched the film.
Read more below or click here to download the full discussion guide.
- What did you think of the film? Which character(s) could you relate to most?
- How did it make you feel?
- Why did Melodi want to find her father? What would you have done in her situation?
- Sesi was not happy that Melodi wanted to find her father. Why?
- What do you think of the choices Melodi’s father made?
- What do you think of Unathi’s (Mojalefa’s wife) response when she discovered her husband had a grown-up daughter?
- Having seen this film, what’s one conversation you’d like to have – and with whom?
Looking for help?
If you or someone you know was impacted by this film and would like help to take the next steps in their journey, there are many different organisations in South Africa doing great work to support fathers and families.
Click on the link below to find out more about some of these support organisations.
Read our interview with director Zamo Mkhwanazi
Zamo Mkhwanazi is an experienced filmmaker who has worked on television shows, short films and feature films. She shares her thoughts on being a director in the Fathers Matter film series and why she thinks South Africa needs to be talking about the realities of fatherhood.
Film Gallery
Behind the scenes
Watch the story behind Melodi
Production Information
- Running Time: 25min
- Release Date: 8 October 2022
- Rating: PG
- Genre: Drama
- Language: isiXhosa, Sesotho
- Director: Zamo Mkhwanazi
- Cast: Tshepo Maseko, Thuli Nduvane, Unathi Guma, Thandy Matlaila, Lulama Nyembezi, Mannini Mokhothu
- Written by: Nonzi Bogatsu