Original subtitles

Themba, why are you changing shirts?

It's for soccer practice. - Let's go!

Pass to me!

Pass! Pass! Pass to Andile ...

Oh. Andile Phewa!

Pass forward! pass forward!

Pass!

Play, play, play!

Pass, pass, square!

Goal!

Themba!

It's the initiates.

Soon they are going to be real men.

Nobody's allowed to see them.

Let's go before we get into trouble.

Oh no, man!

Now I have to collect plastic bags again to make another ball.

I wish I could have a proper ball.

Let's go to my house.

Do you want a ball or not?

What are you doing? Where is Jabu? - Fetching water.

Wait here, I'll be back.

I'll show you how to drive it.

How can you leave him alone?

Wow! Where did you get that? - It belonged to my brother.

He died last year in Johannesburg.

I didn't know. Sorry.

You said you wanted a ball.

Thank you.

Where did you get the ball?

It's Sipho's brother's. - Didn't I tell you not to go there?

Go help your sister!

Why must I always do everything? You think you are "Mr. Special"?

You look like an old lady wanting to pee!

Nomtha! Stop it!

Oh, no!

Your daddy loved this book.

He always said:

Wake up, my child! Wake up!

I'm coming, Father. I'm coming.

What's wrong? - Get dressed, my child!

I have heard that down at the old farmhouse

a white family is opening a guest house.

Working there would be better than picking tea for Boss Joubert.

You will get a nice uniform. No more working outside.

in the hot sun.

I'm lucky to have a job at all.

No, my child ... Good work is hard to find.

Hello, Grandad. - Hello, Sweetie.

Nomtna,

make your grandad some coffee.

You know, my child...

If the head of this family were here, all this wouldn't be necessary.

Father ...

You sound like a preacher on the radio. Same old thing every week.

Please, Father!

Why not stay home and play ball?

Grandad says I am the head of the family while Dad is away. I must go with you.

Wow! Look at this!

The Junior Soccer Championships are happening near here.

Mandisa, I don't like what I see in the books.

No, Mandisa. No!

How can I run a business like this? It’s hard for all of us.

Here you are.

You guys are real men. you're living well here.

This place is beautiful. It's thriving.

I need a cheap place to stay, only for a few weeks until I find work.

I've never seen you before. - I worked at the Rietfontein mine.

Excuse me, did you say Rietfontein mine?

Do you know Vuyo Matakane? - Hello, Ma'am.

I am Luthando. Luthando Njokwane.

Do you know Vuyo Matakane?

He also worked at Rietfontein.

Oh, Vuyo.

Yes, yes.

An intelligent man. - He was ...

Union Manager, Mine union for workers.

Oh yes, Ma'am! He knew exactly what our problems were.

He was a man of... - A man of the people.

Wasn't he a man of the ladies? Where has he been for seven years?

Hey, Sbu!

If you've got nothing good to say, keep quiet! Not everyone is like you.

That's why Vuyo got tired of being "Mr. Perfect Husband"

and has gone back to his people in Lusikisiki.

Gentlemen, are you talking about the Matakane family from Lusikisiki?

Yes, exactly. The Matakanes.

I am related to them.

Really?

Yes, Ma'am.

It's bedtime now, we'll read it tomorrow.

What? Us? We don't have a name. No uniforms, no boots.

So what? We play well. I'll ask Xolile from the shop if he can take us.

How about Soccer Strikers?

Pirates! New Pirates, guys! Eastern Cape Pirates!

Orlando Pirates. - Kaiser Chiefs is better. - Kaiser Chiefs Two!

No, man. That's stupid! You're not making sense!

Stop it! Let's have our own name

and not copy other teams. - How about Lion Strikers?

There aren't any lions here anymore!

Stop that, boys! I'll turn this bus around!

Don't read my T-shirt, go read a book!

What did I say to you?

Hello, everybody. - Hello.

What are your team colours ? - Green!

White! - Red!

Hey!

You can't register without a trainer.

Xolile Kekana.

He's waiting out there near the bus.

Xolile.

That's it.

We will send you a letter if your application was successful.

Can we speak to Andile Phewa?

Hey, Bongi!

Do you think the star of Bafana Bafana would sit here taking applications?

He's absolutely right.

You again, Bongi!

Sipho?

What's wrong with you, Sipho?

Themba! Stop that!

Themba, you know what?

My boy ...

You'll never win that competition if you don't have a proper trainer.

Listen. I was once the best player on the mines.

If Orlando Pirates had seen me. they would have wanted me.

So, you can learn a lot from me about soccer, my boy.

Themba!

Sipho! Sipho! Let me out!

Sipho! Sipho! Let me out!

Get away!

I brought you a pumpkin, you idiot!

Stop crying.

You are disturbing Mama. She's trying to sleep.

How is your mama?

She'll be up again soon.

She just doesn't like visitors at the house, that's all.

And you? How is it with Luthando at your house?

Mama likes talking to him.

Maybe there'll be extra money for sweets when Uncle Luthando returns.

I want Coke. No...

I want chips.

Salt and Vinegar.

I want Angel Delight. Strawberry. Please, Ma, may I? - Yes, my child.

Thanks to your uncle's money you have new school shirts.

Themba, come here!

Do you really, believe all his stories?

Do you really think he's our uncle?

Pour your spirit

Your holy spirit

Over your children

Uplift our spirits

Uplift our spirits

So your name can be praised

Go to sleep. He'll come back.

He doesn't have anything important to do like Dad.

I've brought this man. He says he lives here.

Oh my God! What happened?

He tried to beat gangsters at their own game. - Wake up. Luthando!

Ma'am, he said you'd give me 30 Rand for the trip.

What happened ? - I don't wanna go to the hospital.

Don't call the police! No, Mandisa.

What happened? - Gangsters stabbed me.

What were you doing?

Didn't you just draw money at the bank in town? - It's all gone.

And...

It was my last compensation money.

I just wanted to make more out of it to give us a better life.

me, you, the kids. - You must go to the hospital.

I don't want to. - You must!

I don't want to!

Don't open. Themba, don't open the door!

Be quiet.

I heard a car. What's going on?

Smells like he's been kissing a brandy bottle.

When I felt the knife going in, I thought of you.

I thought I might not see you again.

You're so beautiful, Mandisa.

Daddy, your cap! Daddy, your cap!

Daddy, your cap!

Can you not give us a chance?

Forget about Vuyo!

Here you go, Sipho. Where are the others?

We need to play, you idiots!

Hey, you guys ...

How do you think we'll ever win if you don't come to soccer practice?

Boy, Xola Xolani, Zola Zolani, Leo Leonie, Brian out!

Will you marry Xolile

and be "Mrs: Rich Spaza Shop"?

Listen. I am buying the shoes. I will decide.

Hey, guys!

We have been invited to play!

Mama! The Lion Strikers were chosen to play in the championship!

I have lost my job.

Boss Joubert said I am always late for work. But it's Theresa's fault.

She wants the job for her relatives.

What were you saying, Themba?

About the championships?

Let the bad luck be driven out of this home.

Here you go, my love. Drink this.

It will take care of your headache

and sore throat. Heal this home, ancestors.

Here is your daughter, asking for health.

Vuyo hasn't sent money for over a year.

Luthando doesn't have any money either.

I have tried everything.

Maybe you should go to Cape Town. Work is scarce here.

My niece Nosizwe can help.

How can I leave my children?

Happy birthday!

I am sorry, it’s nothing new.

But it was your father's favourite.

Thank you, Ma.

Thank you.

Won't Daddy need it when he returns?

You think he won't come back?

You think he is dead?

Themba ...

Now that you are almost a man...

he'd be glad if you wore it.

Look at me.

Yes!

How's it going? - Good.

Hello, guys! Play well, pass, don't be nervous.

You'll be fine. Relax, pass, and you'll be fine.

What's Andile Phewa doing?

Talking to Big John of the All Stars Academy in Cape Town.

He has come here from Germany to train.

That's what it said in the magazine.

Go for it, Sipho!

Don't stop, Themba!

Go for it, boys!

Don't give up now!

Hey, tell me, what did you expect?

That they'd let some lousy team from nowhere win?

Puh! You're mad!

You have to learn: Little people count for nothing in life.

Nothing.

Come here please. I have to talk to you kids.

I have spoken to Ma Zanele's niece in Cape Town.

She knows of a job for me there.

You know how difficult it's been since I lost my job at the tea plantation?

So we've decided, that you two will stay here with Luthando. - What?

Themba! - This man will never be my father!

I am old enough to look after us myself!

Take care of that suitcase.

It brought my father luck.

Please, take care of my children.

Will you?

Okay.

This is all I have.

Take care.

Until we meet again.

I'll be back soon, I promise.

Mama loves you, okay?

Don't you two want to come with me to find some herbs in the woods?

Let's go, my girl.

Has she gone?

You've just missed her.

Look at all those women out there! I bet they've been sleeping around!

Shame on them. Why else are they testing for HIV?

I would never test. Can we not be men anymore?

They say if you sleep with a virgin you can be cured.

You should see my boy on the soccer field. Themba!

Hell!

He's very good at soccer. He's a dribbling wizard.

Soon he'll turn professional.

You wait and see.

You just used Mama! It's your fault that she had to leave.

You should have gotten a job!

Blame your useless father!

Vuyo doesn't care about you! Get off me!

You're a cheeky boy.

We must talk about how to turn the Lion Strikers into a proper team.

We must train every day. And we must be professionals.

What happened to you? - We must take this seriously.

We need to train. We can't afford to lose again.

Luthando?

Let's go inside and sort out that wound.

What about your mother? - She won't mind.

Hello?

Come and sit here.

Where is your mama?

She died two months ago.

We buried her quietly in the night.

Please, don't tell anyone.

The people here will chase us out of this hut ...

if they find out Mama had Aids.

I'm begging you. - But...

You and Nomtha can stay here anytime

if things get worse with Luthando.

But for now, don't even tell Nomtha.

Okay? - You have been running your home on your own?

Themba. Themba. - What is it?

I can't sleep. I'm sorry. - Come here. It's alright.

Don't worry. Remember what Mama said when she left?

She will be home soon for Christmas.

Hello?

Noziswe?

It's me!

Hello?

Noziswe?

Listen ...

Tell her we miss her.

Tell her we love her.

I know that being so far away in the city ...

you work and work

and have little time to sleep.

No time to think of the family back home.

She has never forgotten my birthday.

Why don't you and Nomtha come and live with me?

I can't walk up that hill anymore. I can't look after you.

I won't give up my father's house to that man.

What do you really know about our father?

You're lying!

Hey!

Where is your wonderful father now?

Where is he?

What do you think, Themba?

Do you think your father wants to return to a backward farm like this?

To live with stupid country people like yourself?

Puh!

Your mother just doesn't want to see the truth. - So what?

Why don't you go back to the mines then, you big shot city man?

Your father doesn't want you.

And your mother has abandoned you.

You've only got me now.

Me!

Where is your family?

They died.

My wife and children.

All players have their own trademark. - And Cristiano Ronaldo? - That guy?

He plays like this ...

You imitate him well.

That's exactly what he does.

I'm telling you, he fakes it.

And Zidane? - Zidane?

Hey man, what's your problem? - I'm just playing.

It's your lucky day.

It's from your mother.

Hold this.

Wow!

Finally they've accepted us! - I'll see you soon guys.

Listen here! This food is for the kids.

If you dare touch it, we'll fight.

All you do is drink! All day long! It's so disgusting!

Another letter from Mama! She's sent another one!

Another letter from Mama!

What does she say?

Give me some of that! Equal share for everyone.

Hey!

I have to be paid. I'm taking care of you.

Out of my way.

It's a good sign she's sent so much, right?

Yes.

Hello!

Isn't that so, guys?

That's not fair!

Wow!

Hey ...

Nice goal, young man! What's your name?

Well done, Themba Matakane!

Good job, boys!

That's two eights, one ten and one ...

Sure, make that another eight ...

Yes. I assure you. Mr. Jacobs said to tell you the sizes.

That's for the boots they are supplying for the Lion Strikers.

Wow!

Sipho, I'm going to sleep early so I can dream this day again.

Take care, okay?

See you, my friend.

Come, let's go.

Run! Go to Grandad!

Piss off, you bastard!

You bastard! I've had enough of you!

You're too big for your boots!

You know what they do with boys like you on the mines? I'll show you.

I hate you! I hate you!

What happened, Son?

It's alright, Grandad.

We will find Mama. I still have some of the money she sent.

Maybe ...

it is better to be with your Mama.

My Mama used to love this place.

She loved to sit here and sing ...

or read the bible.

I want to earn some money so I can bury her properly.

I'm worried that her spirit cannot rest.

Sometimes I see her walking about in the yard.

You know my boy, it is a good time

to go and find your mama in Cape Town.

The bones have told me.

I will give you some herbs for my niece.

She misses things from home.

Oh, goodness.

It's no fault of my own,

it's a calling from the ancestors.

Interpret my dream...

Sipho, man... You said you wanted to bury your mama.

Ma Zanele wants to help.

I call upon the ancestors of this family.

ooMdiki, noMda. Mampondomise, and Mpangela.

Cast away darkness, and let there be light in this home.

Look after these children.

Now that I've cleansed you, my children ...

All will be well now.

And you, my boy ...

must be a pillar of strength in this home and look after your siblings.

Alright then.

No, man...

No, my boy ...

No, my child ...

I know it's painful.

You know ...

My daughter also died

from this disease called AIDS.

Oh, my child. Be still.

Stop that!

These are from Ma Zanele.

Thank you.

Yes, your mama worked in this area.

But then the job ended.

She then went to Masiphumelele.

Wetlands, shack A 21 is the address she gave me.

I haven't heard from her since.

Thank you. We'll be on our way then.

Wait a minute.

Add this to what you have.

Thank you.

Hello? - Hello.

Where can we find shack A 21? - Try down that way.

But it's not easy to find.

Hello? Anybody home?

Mama?

Nomtha is going to buy some food.

Hello.

Disgusting!

Mama ...

Where are your clothes?

Hello. Can you play cards?

I love playing poker.

I can teach you.

I'm Themba.

Mandisa's son.

I am Thandi. I live next door.

Thandi! I said stay away from there! - If you need to know anything ...

It's nothing. Just soccer.

Was it Luthando ?

It wasn't easy with Uncle Luthando.

He went to the tavern all the time.

We must take you to the clinic tomorrow.

Don't worry, Son.

Now that you are here, things will get better.

You'll see.

We love you, Mama.

We love you, even if you're sick.

We love you, Mama.

What will we do, Themba? We need money to help Mama.

Wow! Did Big John really say that?

Look! See for yourself!

I'm the man, I told you.

Excuse me. My mother?

Excuse me!

Hello.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I was ashamed.

I thought the ancestors ...

I thought the ancestors were punishing me.

I thought ...

it was my punishment, for sleeping with Luthando.

Lutnando.

What bad luck ...

What bad luck you have brought me.

We're here, Mama. - Whose house is this ?

It's your house, Mama.

Look! - My house?

Do you like it, Mama?

Got that?

Understood!

Hello, guys!

Hello!

What happened to you?

I got hurt on a day job.

I won't be playing soccer again so soon.

When are you going to kiss me?

Don't do that! Don't touch my blood!

Themba, what is going on?

Hurry, hurry, man!

Don't drop that meat, man.

Help yourselves.

Gosh, my friend!

Wow! Just look at this.

You've made it, man.

I guess so.

It is unbelievable.

You?

Themba Matakane?

I'm working hard, my friend. - Tell me...

How are things back home?

A lot has changed.

And Luthando?

Luthando died last month.

He fell ill and hid away.

Ma Zanele tried to help him, but he threw a maize cob at her.

Man, this AIDS is bad news.

Themba, wait!

I'm late, man.

I don't know what is going on, but you have to face it.

Mama always wanted to protect you.

Themba mustn't know how hard things are, how much debt we have at the shop,

that we borrowed money from Ma Zanele, he'll just worry

Hello.

How are you?

Come on, my friend.

Come on, man.

You know what?

You've been through a lot.

Everything you would have learned in the bush, you've done already.

You are grown up now.

I am grown up.

I heard about Bafana Bafana.

That's great. Really.

Did you near what I said at the ...

press conference?

I think you should take me out for dinner to celebrate.