Awande Dlamini
Following an article in the Cape Argus on February 19, “Call to fund Ashley Kriel documentary”, Survé Philanthropies responded to the call to complete the film.
Action Kommandant director Nadine Cloete met Dr Iqbal Survé, who expressed his support for this project and pledged the R75 000 required to do final editing and colour correction to make it screen-ready.
“I am excited that through our media platforms, we have been able to spread awareness of stories like this. It is critical to tell the stories of those Struggle heroes who so unselfishly gave their lives to gain a democratic South Africa.
“Ashley Kriel’s history needs to be known by all South Africans, and this film will ensure that this is done,” said Survé, of Survé Philanthropies, who is also the executive chairman of Sekunjalo Investment Holdings and Independent Media.
“I am providing this support so that Nadine can complete this film in time for Youth Day 2016. Ashley Kriel’s story will inspire young people who will learn from those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms that we value today. So many others have responded to the call to complete the film, and that is fantastic.”
Cloete said that the journey to complete this film had been a long and arduous one, and she was quite overwhelmed by the support she was receiving from Survé Philanthropies and many of Ashley Kriel’s comrades.
“I have been working on this film for five years. I never met Ashley, but through working on this film and talking to his family and comrades, I feel a deeper sense of him which I hope is conveyed in the documentary.
“I am committed to completing it so that people know who Ashley was and how he sacrificed his young life for an ideal of freedom.
“I am grateful for the support that Survé Philanthropies has provided to achieve this. The crowd-funding campaign is receiving solid support on social media from Ashley’s comrades, which has been amazing.
“Any extra funding will contribute to any extra edit time needed, broadcasting rights on archive footage, and would go towards the launch and marketing of this documentary to ensure that it is seen by as many people as possible.”
Michel Assure, Ashley Kriel’s sister, said the documentary had provided some closure for the family. “The family has seen a preview of the film and is excited for it to be released.”
Survé said that Survé Philanthropies had provided support to a number of similar arts projects that have told the stories of Struggle icons, including Cold Case: Revisiting Dulcie September, which was showcased at the Baxter Theatre and the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown, and Formidabele Vroue, based on the life of the District Six Struggle veteran Cissie Gool.
Survé Philanthropies is the philanthropic initiative of Dr Survé and the Survé family.
Survé has created an endowment whereby 90 percent of the value of his investments in the Sekunjalo Group, including its profits and dividends, are provided for the benefit of numerous Survé philanthropic foundations.
Survé Philanthropies include the following initiatives: the Survé Family Foundation, the Iqbal Survé Bursary Trust, the Sekunjalo Development Foundation, the South Atlantic Arts & Culture Trust, the Social Entrepreneurship Foundation, and the Transformative Business Leadership Foundation.
Survé Philanthropies is a strong supporter of human and children’s rights, education, social development, and arts and culture development.