South African cinema continues to assert its global relevance, not through spectacle alone, but through stories rooted in truth, resilience, and lived experience. Following the international success of the multi-award-winning feature film Lubunyu, one of its co-writers, Mpho Modisakeng, returns with a powerful new offering, this time in documentary form. His latest produced feature documentary, The General, directed by Murena Netshitangani, is poised to leave a lasting imprint on South African audiences and beyond.
The General is not merely a documentary. It is a stirring chronicle of leadership, transformation, and the quiet heroism embedded within South Africa’s public education system. At its heart is the story of Mrs Elsie Mphahlele-Sebonwang, principal of Lufhereng Secondary School, whose arrival in 2020 marked the beginning of a remarkable institutional turnaround.
A School at a Crossroads
When Mrs Mphahlele-Sebonwang assumed leadership at Lufhereng Secondary School in 2020, the institution was grappling with systemic challenges familiar to many public schools across the country. Academic performance was alarmingly low, with the matric pass rate hovering at 51%. Educator morale was fragile, infrastructure was strained, and confidence among learners, parents, and staff was steadily eroding.
These statistics, however, only hint at deeper struggles. Behind the numbers lay years of underperformance, weakened discipline, and a school community yearning for direction. Into this environment stepped Mrs Mphahlele-Sebonwang, not as a saviour with grand promises, but as a disciplined, focused leader armed with clarity of vision and an uncompromising work ethic.
The Making of The General
Director Murena Netshitangani approaches the story with restrained yet emotionally resonant cinematic language. Rather than relying on sensationalism, The General allows its subject to unfold organically. The camera lingers in classrooms, staff meetings, and quiet corridors, capturing incremental changes that, over time, culminate in extraordinary results.
The documentary traces Mrs Mphahlele-Sebonwang’s journey from her earliest days at the school, when resistance, scepticism, and fatigue greeted her leadership, to the moment her colleagues, in recognition of her authority and resolve, bestow upon her the nickname that gives the film its title, The General.
It is a name born not of fear, but of respect.
Leadership Forged Through Discipline and Care
What distinguishes Mrs Mphahlele-Sebonwang’s leadership, as portrayed in the film, is her balance of firmness and empathy. She is uncompromising when it comes to standards. Punctuality, accountability, and professionalism are non-negotiable. At the same time, she remains deeply attentive to the emotional and psychological well-being of both educators and learners.
The General presents leadership as daily labour. Viewers witness early mornings and late evenings, difficult conversations with staff, moments of self-doubt, and the emotional toll of carrying responsibility for hundreds of young lives. The film resists mythologising its subject. Instead, it humanises her, revealing the true cost of excellence.
From 50% to 90%: Transformation Beyond Numbers
The most visible marker of change at Lufhereng Secondary School is the academic turnaround. Under Mrs Mphahlele-Sebonwang’s leadership, the matric pass rate rose dramatically from just over 50% to 90% and beyond. This achievement alone is remarkable.
Yet The General insists that transformation extends far beyond statistics. Discipline returned to classrooms. Teachers rediscovered pride in their profession. Learners began to believe in their own potential. Parents re-engaged, and the school reclaimed its role as a pillar of the community.
Through candid interviews with educators and staff, the documentary captures how resistance gradually gave way to trust. Colleagues reflect openly on their initial doubts, their struggles with change, and the eventual realisation that firm, principled leadership was precisely what the school required.
A Documentary Rooted in Emotional Truth
One of the film’s greatest strengths lies in its emotional honesty. Netshitangani allows silence to speak where words fall short. Tears are not manufactured. They surface naturally, often during moments of reflection rather than crisis. Music is used sparingly, giving space for lived experience to resonate.
The camera does not shy away from tension. Staff disagreements, learner setbacks, and moments when progress feels fragile are all present. These challenges deepen the film’s authenticity and reinforce its central message that transformation is hard work.
Education as a Battlefield and a Site of Hope
The title The General carries layered meaning. On one level, it reflects Mrs Mphahlele-Sebonwang’s commanding presence and strategic leadership. On another, it frames the education system itself as a battlefield, one where discipline, vision, and resilience determine whether future generations thrive or falter.
In a country where education remains both a national priority and a persistent challenge, the documentary speaks to broader social concerns. It asks urgent questions. What does effective leadership look like in public institutions? How do we support those tasked with rebuilding failing systems? What happens when excellence is demanded rather than negotiated?
A Continuation of a Distinct Creative Voice
For audiences familiar with Lubunyu, The General feels like a natural extension of the creative sensibilities that defined that film. These include an interest in marginalised stories, moral complexity, and the dignity of everyday struggle. Where Lubunyu explored these themes through fiction, The General grounds them firmly in reality.
Producer Mpho Modisakeng’s involvement ensures continuity of purpose. The film tells African stories with nuance, integrity, and cinematic ambition. Under Netshitangani’s direction, the documentary strikes a careful balance between intimacy and scope, allowing a local story to resonate universally.
Reception and Anticipation
Although yet to make its full public debut, The General is already generating anticipation within film and education circles. Early discussions suggest it will resonate strongly with educators, policymakers, and audiences seeking stories of real, measurable change.
More than an inspirational work, the documentary functions as a case study. It challenges complacency and invites reflection on leadership across sectors.
Conclusion: A Salute to Quiet Excellence
The General arrives at a moment when South Africa, and the world, are searching for models of leadership rooted in integrity rather than spectacle. Mrs Elsie Mphahlele-Sebonwang’s story reminds us that transformation does not always arrive with applause. Often, it begins with difficult decisions, unwavering discipline, and the courage to demand better.
As the documentary prepares to meet its audience, one thing is clear. The General is not just another film hitting our screens. It is a salute to educators, to leadership, and to the enduring belief that institutions can be rebuilt when vision meets resolve.
In chronicling the rise of one principal and one school, the film ultimately speaks to a nation’s enduring hope, that excellence is possible, even against the odds.
For more information:
Producer: Mpho Modisakeng
063 812 7299 | mgmodisakeng@gmail.com
Director: Murena Netshitangani
076 176 1093 | menagape@gmail.com