Gcobani Ndzongana, leader of the Land Party, has withdrawn his consent for the use of his interview, image, and voice in the upcoming documentary Stolen Ground: The Hermanus Story, set to be released on Friday, 31 October 2026. Ndzongana claims he was coerced and misled during the interview process, stating, “I was coerced and lied to. Even before the interview I informed Joe about my stance on AfriForum. They are my enemy. As long as I live I will never entertain them.”
The documentary revisits the 2018 unrest in Hermanus, centred on land and housing tensions in the Zwelihle community, including the controversial Schulphoek land occupation. The 2018 protests began in March when residents objected to a disputed land deal in Schulphoek and escalated through road blockades, the burning of infrastructure, and confrontations with police. Ndzongana was among those arrested at the time, facing charges including incitement and malicious damage to property.
AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel confirmed that the organisation sponsored the documentary but did not produce it. Kriel told reporters, “AfriForum is merely sponsoring the production; it is not our production. So, the Land Party really does not have grounds to stand on.”
Ndzongana sent a formal notice on 20 October 2026 withdrawing his consent for the use of his participation, weeks before the scheduled release. His threat of legal action appears to stem from concerns about the documentary’s framing of events and alleged undisclosed involvement of AfriForum. However, the precise grounds for any court proceedings remain unclear as no formal legal filings have been made public.
This dispute highlights enduring sensitivities around the Hermanus land conflict. Independent media and the South African Human Rights Commission have documented the protests as primarily focused on contesting the Schulphoek land deal, with local residents demanding fair access to land and housing. The documentary’s portrayal touches on these unresolved community grievances and the political fallout from the unrest.
While Ndzongana’s claim that he was neither properly informed about AfriForum’s sponsorship nor willing to participate under those conditions is supported by his formal withdrawal, other allegations—such as attempts on his life allegedly linked to the organisation—have not been independently verified. Similarly, claims regarding misrepresentation by the interviewer remain unconfirmed pending further evidence.
The documentary’s release could reignite debate over how the Hermanus 2018 unrest is remembered and discussed publicly, stressing the complex intersection of land rights, political representation, and community trust. For local residents and political actors, the film will be a focal point for revisiting past conflicts that continue to influence land politics in the Western Cape.
Cape Flats News will monitor developments around any legal action and report further as the situation evolves.