Egoli – Place of Gold is a film about humility, dignity, and resilience.
It tells the story of a place whose name promises wealth - the Place of Gold - and yet it is defined by poverty, hopelessness, and extraordinary inner strength.

At the center is Lindu, a young girl from a township in Cape Town.
Through her voice we are invited into a world full of contrasts: light and shadow, wealth and scarcity, safety and danger.
She recites a poem about Africa, about pain, oppression and forgetting, but also about courage, hope and awakening.
Her words are clear, powerful and brave. They remind us that resilience often grows where the world expects it the least.

The images are deliberately shot in black and white.
The strong contrast reflects the reality of life, shaped by extremes and by the historical and social legacies of Apartheid, which still influence society today.
We are all born somewhere without having a choice. Some into security and comfort, others into townships like Egoli, a place marked by the long term effects of inequality.
And yet the film shows that even in a world full of harshness and contrasts, hope and humanity can endure.

Egoli – Place of Gold does not aim to teach or explain.
It invites us to look closely, to feel the contrasts, and to reflect on the social structures that shape human lives.
And perhaps in that quiet moment of seeing, to recognize a part of ourselves reflected in these images.

"Africa, Africa, I am only a child. An invisible child.
I learn, I play, I grow. And I won't stop."

MOTIVATION

At TWIST we believe that film can be more than entertainment. Once a year we consciously create a free project – not for commercial gain, but out of conviction. Projects that remind us of what truly matters: humanity, values, and humility.

Egoli – Place of Gold was born from this belief. Inspired by Jan Hendrick Keiser and his initiative Giving Back Society, contact was established through him with the organization Ubomi led by Birgit Hägemann. With this project, we wanted to make everyday life in a township visible – places marked by strong contrasts, the legacy of Apartheid, and the extreme differences in opportunities and life circumstances.

CONDITIONS ON SITE

The conditions in Egoli are extreme. The township is marked by poverty, violence, and traumatized children. Many children live without parents, some completely alone and others are heavily affected by alcohol or lack of care. Even babies often grow up with no perspective. Schools and safe spaces for children are scarce and basic infrastructure is barely available. Violence is a constant reality and the streets are dangerous, making it impossible for our team to move freely. We were always accompanied by local guardians to ensure safety and could not step a single meter alone.

Thanks to the work of Birgit Hägemann and her organization Ubomi, there is childcare and support on site, providing the children with a safe space and a sense of perspective.

MAKING-OF

The film was shot entirely with an iPhone 16 Pro. Expensive equipment would have been too risky, so only five team members were on site, always accompanied by local guardians. We could not move a single meter alone, as the streets were dangerous and violence was a constant reality. Filming took place over three days.

Two projects were created: a video for Giving Back Society and a free project for TWIST – Egoli Place of Gold. Extensive photo material was also captured.

The black-and-white imagery highlights the strong contrasts between poverty and wealth, light and shadow, hope and despair. Every shot reflects the reality of life in Egoli and the social structures still shaped by Apartheid. The Egoli logo, showing the streets from above, symbolizes the people navigating these contrasts every day.

"Africa, Africa. You are a child,
oppressed and hurt. Africa, just wait.
One day you will be the mountain.
Proud and unconquerable."

Take Action

Egoli – Place of Gold ends with the words “Made by humans” – a phrase full of meaning. The film was created by real people, and the conditions in Egoli were shaped by humans and only humans can change them.

The film invites us to look, to feel compassion, and to take action. By donating to Ubomi, an organization providing childcare and opportunities for children in townships, you help create safe spaces and access to education. Even small contributions can make a difference.

SUPPORT UBOMI