South Africa’s first feature film aimed at black audiences was released in 1949, launching Dolly Rathebe’s career.

The actress and jazz musician was discovered by chance by two British film makers and with no previous acting experience, she was cast in Jim Comes to Jo’burg, also known as African Jim.

She played Judy, a glamourous nightclub singer. Soon she was gracing magazine covers and proclaimed Africa’s first black female movie star.

Reena Stanton-Sharma listens back to an archive interview of Dolly Rathebe speaking to film maker Peter Davis from Villon Films.

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(Photo: Dolly Rathebe. Credit: Jurgen Schadeberg from The Schadeberg Collection)

Dolly Rathebe: South Africa’s first international film star

Witness History

Dolly Rathebe: South Africa’s first international film star