Johannesburg, 16 October 2019:
Dumisani Ntombela, 26, lost his eye sight to cancer at two years old, both eyes were removed and covered up with skin grafts. This blind man, would not allow his physical impairment to stand in the way of his passion for soccer, labelled from an early age as “the blind boy with a football vision”.
Growing up, Dumisani was tormented, bullied and beaten in his home township. Cruelly called “Spoko,” or ghost, by other children, he was shunned by his community. “People were scared of me, they said I had a demon in me” recalls Dumisani. “They told my parents to take me to a place far away, because I will infect the other children with blindness. My parents were always crying, nobody wanted me around. I soon realised that my blindness was my gift, I am blind, but I have vision,” adds Dumisani.
His love for soccer is what made it all okay for Dumisani, and was soon recognised for his exceptional talent, not only in his ability to visualise and understand the game, but for his grit and determination to fight the discrimination he faced. Using his talent, he overcame rejection, and the perceptions of those around him began to change.
Dumisani is renowned in soccer circles, for taking Silver Spears Ladies Football Club to the top of the ranks in the Sasol Women’s League in 2017.
With success, came bitter disappointment as Dumisani was sadly not able to secure continued funding for the team, so used his disability grant and financial assistance from his parents to keep the team on the field, at that time sadly, when his parents passed away Dumisani had to ask the girls to hang up their soccer boots as the money had run dry.
We urge all to watch this short film, it will move you, it will inspire you, it will make you think, reflect and if you think you have been dealt a raw deal in life, meet Dumisani.
#blindwithavision #blindfootballcoach #goodnewsstory #starfilms #proudlysouthafrican
For further information or to arrange interviews with Dumisani or the film production sponsors and teams, please email romy@thewriteagency.co.za.
Agency: The Star Film Company
Director: Wim Steytler
1st AD / Editor / Sound Design: Louis May
DOP: Jason Palmary
Executive Producer: Gregory Hack / Adam Thal
Producer: Nomtha Dano
1st AC: Jarod Stein
Gaffer: Bekker-Brand Janse van Rensburg
Drone Operator: Nick Fischer
Colorist: Matt Tapson
Art Directors: Stephanne Erasmus / Arthur van Loggenberg
Shot on:
ARRI ALEXA Classic EV
Zeiss Ultra Prime Lens Set
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