Over R1 Million Raised To Help South African Kids Watch ‘Black Panther’

On Thursday, R1,039,800 (approximately $86,000) was raised to take over 8,000 South African kids to go see Black Panther in cinemas. This was as a result of a campaign by the radio station 947's breakfast team.

South African actor and actress John Kani and Connie Chiume, who are part of the movie's cast, had an interview with Anele Mdoda on the station. Chiume cited a similar campaign in the States, and Mdoda revealed the station had a relation with Ster Kinekor, so they would make it happen for underprivileged kids to see the movie.

The two actors emphasized on the importance of black kids watching a movie with a superhero who looks like them.

Kani said:

"You look at the movie, and get a comic book hero. Imagine what that does to you as black child somewhere in Africa. It's not Superman, Batman or Spiderman. For the first time, he removes the mask, and you think, 'he looks like me.'"

The station made a callout to its listeners to donate money through a crowdfunding campaign to make this possible. Yesterday, the station tweeted that R1,039,800 had been raised to take over 8,000 kids to see the movie.

Each child will receive a movie ticket, popcorn, a cold drink and doughnuts at the screenings nationwide.