“What matters is not to know the world but to change it”: set to the sights and sounds of a peaceful protest, the words of philosopher and psychiatrist Frantz Fanon still stand powerful and true as they set the tone for Little Simz’ Gratitude.
With director Jeremy Cole in tow, Simbi headed to Cape Town, where she still has family, to shoot Red Bull backed social entrepreneurs Jarrel Mathebula of the Indigenous Dance Academy and Rayne Moses of Nebula Youth. Interspersed with footage from activist Imraan Christian of recent #FeesMustFall protests, organised by South African students in response to the governments decision to raise student fees by 10%, the visuals capture the positive energy of a new generation.
“They will not control us!” says Simz on the track, referring perhaps to both her independent journey to the top of her game, as well as the global powers that have oppressed and continue to do so. Education should not be a privilege but a right. This is what change looks like.
As the South African sun sets on her silhouette, Simz also announces that her first world tour with begin on 17th January. Kicking off in Europe, it will end with Australia and New Zealand in late February.