Summary
Welcome to Our
Hillbrow by Phaswane Mpe
, The film "Welcome to Our Hillbrow" depicts the lives and deaths of
two young, educated, black South Africans named Refentse and
Refilwe while also providing a vivid portrait of Hillbrow. The
opening of Welcome to our Hillbrow begins with an unnamed
narrator speaking in the second person to Refentse about his
experiences in Hillbrow. This is followed by a reflection on
Refentse's life during his time in Hillbrow and the events that
ultimately led to his death.
Refentse's memories bring to life the turbulent and frequently
dangerous Hillbrow. Refentse's impression of Hillbrow when he
first arrived in 1991 to attend the University of Witwatersrand
included prostitution, widespread disease transmission, drug
misuse, lethal soccer celebrations, and pervasive racism toward
foreigners who are referred to as the darpgatory term
“mkwerekwere”.
Refentse is initially refused financial aid and is compelled to take
on the heavy debt in the form of student loans. In 1994, Refentse
received a Bachelor’s degree of Arts and a scholarship to start his
master's program. By 1996 he had finished his education, at which
point the institution immediately hired him as a lecturer.
1
Welcome to Our
Hillbrow by Phaswane Mpe
, The film "Welcome to Our Hillbrow" depicts the lives and deaths of
two young, educated, black South Africans named Refentse and
Refilwe while also providing a vivid portrait of Hillbrow. The
opening of Welcome to our Hillbrow begins with an unnamed
narrator speaking in the second person to Refentse about his
experiences in Hillbrow. This is followed by a reflection on
Refentse's life during his time in Hillbrow and the events that
ultimately led to his death.
Refentse's memories bring to life the turbulent and frequently
dangerous Hillbrow. Refentse's impression of Hillbrow when he
first arrived in 1991 to attend the University of Witwatersrand
included prostitution, widespread disease transmission, drug
misuse, lethal soccer celebrations, and pervasive racism toward
foreigners who are referred to as the darpgatory term
“mkwerekwere”.
Refentse is initially refused financial aid and is compelled to take
on the heavy debt in the form of student loans. In 1994, Refentse
received a Bachelor’s degree of Arts and a scholarship to start his
master's program. By 1996 he had finished his education, at which
point the institution immediately hired him as a lecturer.
1
