Disney Africa and Sunshine Cinema are celebrating the 30th anniversary of “The Lion King” with solar-powered community screenings in a special Zulu-dubbed format, promoting storytelling, inclusivity, and social change across South Africa.
Johannesburg, South Africa (09 September 2024) – Some stories are simply timeless. They transcend generations, cultures, and languages, and they continue to inspire and uplift us all. “The Lion King” is one such story—a tale of courage, love, and the circle of life that has touched millions of hearts around the world.
As we celebrate the 30th anniversary of this beloved film, there’s some incredible news coming from South Africa that shows the power of storytelling to bring communities together in the most extraordinary way.
To commemorate the 30th anniversary of “The Lion King,” Disney Africa has teamed up with Sunshine Cinema, a non-profit solar-powered media network, to bring this iconic film to life for a new audience in a truly unique format. Imagine the majestic sounds of the African savannah, the stirring songs of Elton John, and the unforgettable voice of James Earl Jones as Mufasa—all dubbed in Zulu! This special community screening program is more than just a celebration of a classic film; it is a groundbreaking initiative that reaches directly into the hearts of marginalised communities.
Using Sunshine Cinema’s modified Land Rover, affectionately named “Lamu the Landy,” the film will be shown at two major solar-powered cinema screenings in Cape Town and Durban. In addition, twelve additional ‘Sunbox’ solar cinema screenings will take place across KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, and Gauteng from September to December 2024. These screenings are open to the public and will include engaging discussions on topics like conservation, family, belonging, and the transformative power of art and digital media.
Christine Service, General Manager of The Walt Disney Company Africa, shares the excitement: “Creating shared moments between families and communities through our creative storytelling is at the very heart of Disney. We are excited to be collaborating with Sunshine Cinema in this unique way, in this most special year of The Lion King, and hope that audience members will be inspired and make all-new memories.”
But why is an initiative like this so important (and such a good thing)?
For marginalised communities, access to high-quality entertainment and media is often limited. These screenings offer a rare opportunity to experience a world-class film in a familiar language, creating a sense of belonging and inclusivity. But the impact goes far beyond just entertainment. Sunshine Cinema’s mission is to address youth unemployment by providing young entrepreneurs with “Sunbox” solar cinema kits, which come loaded with Afro-centric films and documentaries. These kits are accompanied by training that equips young people with the skills needed to become media facilitators, enabling them to earn an income and drive social change within their communities.
Rene Weston, Programmes Director from Sunshine Cinema, says: “We are excited about the potential of this program to celebrate storytelling, create employment opportunities for our network of youth impact screening facilitators, and #SparkConversation that transcends cultural and social boundaries.”
So, if you’re in South Africa, keep an eye out for the screenings and join the conversation. Follow @sunshinecinema on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, and TikTok, and keep up with the latest from @DisneyAfrica on Instagram and @DisneyinAfrica on Facebook. Don’t forget to use #TheLionKing30, #Conservation, and #SparkConversation to be part of this incredible celebration of community, culture, and creativity.
Because, in the words of Rafiki, “It is time!”
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of The Lion King, we’re giving away 5 incredible hampers to 5 lucky readers! To enter, simply nominate someone deserving in the comments below and tell us why they should win! Whether it’s a friend, family member, or someone who brings the spirit of the savannah to life, we want to hear their story!
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