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Life Onboard |
LAST UPDATE
March 24, 2006
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| January 23, 2006 |
Those Unwanted at Home and Abroad: Documenting Refugee Life – Makela Pululu |
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| Makela Pululu, Congolese refugee and documentary filmmaker. |
Estimates for 2001 claim roughly 14.9 million people around the world live under refugee status. Fleeing from war, political instability, economic destitution, or ideological persecution, refugees tend to usually overflow into neighboring countries. In theory, most nations have ratified international treaties and implement accords intended on providing humane treatment and provisions for such exiles. The truth, however, is much harsher. Onboard from Kenya to South Africa, documentary filmmaker Makela Pululu - a Congolese refugee living in South Africa - provided Peace Boat participants with an insight to the stark realities refugees face around the world. |
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| Refugees tend to live in tent villages such as these for many years. Photo: courtesy of Makela Pululu. |
As Makela explains, refugees are basically “people who cross an international border seeking safety.” But most refugee-receiving countries see these foreigners as “a social threat or an economic burden, hence tend to refuse to respect the core principals of Human Rights and Refugee protection accords.” Most refugee camps around the world exist in appalling conditions, as lack of medical and food provisions are common in addition to inappropriate shelter. Furthermore, working visas and legal permits usually delay for years, denying working rights and equal opportunities to those fleeing their home countries. |
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| Inadequate shelter and lack of provisions are common problems in refugee communities. Photo: courtesy of Makela Pululu. |
Xenophobia and lack of tolerance are yet other challenges faced by exiles with refugee status. Besides being alienated and segregated, many refugees are the recipients of violence and abuse. In Africa, where nearly one third of all worldwide refugees reside, cultural prejudices and racial tensions spur fiery outbreaks, in which refugees tend to receive the brunt of aggression and violence. For example on 24 January 2004, the Cape Times reported on an incident in which eight elements of the South Africa Police Service viciously kicked three Congolese refugees in Nyanga and showered them with expletives. Such cases are becoming alarmingly common. |
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| Peace Boat participants listen to Makela after the screening of his documentary film Shadow of Hope. |
Having fled his home country the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in 1997 due to imminent war, Makela experienced first hand the injustices suffered by refugees in the African continent. After a couple years in Angola, he made his way south until he reached the South African metropolis of Cape Town. Once there, Makela struggled, but in time found a way to apply his trade as an electrician. Through coincidences, he ended up working at one of the largest film studios in Africa, hence sparking his interest in audiovisual media. Eventually, Makela began taking formal film studies on the evenings, especially focusing on scriptwriting and directing. Hence, his need to involve himself in the cause against refugee oppression led to his documentary films focusing on issues hindering such exiled groups. |
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| Question and answer session with Makela Pululu. |
Makela’s films have appeared on television and are distributed among organizations seeking progressive change within South Africa. While onboard, Makela screened his latest film titled Shadow of Hope, one which focuses on the refugee community in Cape Town. Despite barely making enough to get by, he hopes his documentaries will educate people with regards to refugee issues and spark a wave of tolerance and solidarity. Makela dreams of returning to his home country. He hopes this year’s elections, claimed to be the first democratic elections in 45 years, will bring stability to the DRC. His ultimate future projects include documenting recent events in his home country, hence providing records which facilitate healing among Congolese society. Nevertheless, as Makela reiterates: “I would love to go back to Congo… but I can’t”. Hence, he’ll continue his struggle to improve the situation of refugees, just like himself.
To contact Makela Pululu please direct an email to: plmakela1[a]yahoo.com |
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