You're going to the motherland.
Who's going to make sure you're taking your meds?
I'll be just fine.
- We're doing Sarafina. - I'm so frickin' excited.
You know you still owe me, right?
For being kicked out at the Red Light District.
I cannot have everyone find out what I did.
- Lee! - You ***!
I just need you to help me.
We believe that Noko's dad
might be able to lead us to Susuman.
The terrorist?
And you can help, Ella.
Hey!
Looks like you're doing better than the last time I saw you.
You're pretty fit, huh?
Snap. I've got to go.
Later, Sunshine.
What's the deal with Noko anyway?
You like him too?
No.
There's not much to say.
Little Mr CEO is on such a tight schedule
he might get burnout before 16.
If he's not on the basketball court...
Or jetting off to some meeting during school...
You'll find him in Sarafina rehearsals.
Ella, what did you say your mom does again?
She's not my mom.
Look, our school is full of high risk types.
But your plus one is on another level.
I might as well be a prisoner.
Who gets to walk around the mall eating ice cream.
Free Ella Gardner!
Who you really need to watch out for is Gwyneth.
- No thanks to you. - Sorry, friend.
We really need to work on the whole keeping secrets thing.
But she pushed me into the pool, so we're even.
- What? - She never lets anything go.
It's like she doesn't know how to.
She's like an elephant.
- An angry, white... - Oh, look! It's Dawoud!
- Hey. - Hey, Dawoud.
- Wassup? - We'll be back just now.
You go get some... ice cream...
on your lip.
Can I?
- Thanks. - How's Joburg treating you?
Um.
I haven't seen a lot.
Oh, yeah?
- Do you like Ethiopian? - Food?
- Yeah. - You wanna try some?
I'd love that.
- Okay, cool. - Sparks are flying between those two.
- But what about Amina? - Shhh.
I'll text you later.
Wait, you don't have my number?
Yeah, I'll... I'll find it.
I think I'm going on a date.
Whooo.
So it's going to be you, Dawoud...
and ol' Wynand huh?
I'm talking at the Azania Book Fair, that's pretty cool.
Oh, maybe we could do jazz night in the city, huh?
Could be like old times.
Sounds good.
"We meet again, at last.
The circle is complete."
Mom!
What? Did I miss Star Wars?
Oh, I just thought you were working late again.
You missed the part where dad was trying to
impress Ella with some stuffy cultural stuff.
- Mm. - She ain't feeling it, man.
So how does this prison life work?
It's fine for me to hang out with Gabe wherever he wants,
but any other time I'm stuck here or at the mall?
I thought you wanted me to make friends, Dianne.
Shit. She's good.
Movie night without popcorn?
Savages, are we?
Can you help?
Sure!
They're great with hummus.
Cucumbers? Eurgh.
I got it.
I can manage, Noks.
Guys, it's my job.
Noks, it's okay.
We'll be fine.
Okay, then.
Good night.
Later.
Can't get used to having help.
Same, honey.
- Back in Jakarta this sort of - - Look, about the Oakland thing...
how exactly do we do it?
I read it can take up to five years to clear my name.
- And Yaseen? - Don't... worry about it.
We're not gonna do it how it says on the internet.
We're gonna do it my way.
And?
How's it going with Noko?
Dianne...
Noko and I have literally nothing in common.
He seems like a lovely kid from what I've seen.
- So you wanna pimp me? - That is not what I mean.
Just...
make friends with the boy.
I don't know what you teens do.
Just find something that you both like.
Maybe I'll get pompoms and cheer for him courtside.
"Go, Noko, go!"
- That is- - Are you ladies done or what?
Emperor Palpatine requires your presence.
Cucumbers? Eurgh.
Tastes like crunchy green water.
Hey, this is good.
And?
- Made any friends yet? - A couple.
That's my baby.
- And Yaseen? - He's much better.
He's been assigned a really good state attorney.
So tell me about your friends.
Mom, why are you up?
Is it insomnia again?
Relax. I'm just a grown woman
who can't put down a gripping political thriller.
It's good to see you, my Ella.
Have you been taking your meds?
Is my relationship with you gonna be limited to meds?
Are you still mad?
Please don't be.
I'm sorry, baby.
- I had to. - Ella!
- I have to run to class. - Okay.
- Love you, baby. - Love you, Mom.
Okay. Without you I'm nothing.
I'll never do anything like that ever again.
He meant nothing to me.
I'm so sorry, Naz.
Please open them.
Amina?
These are a promise
to never hurt each other ever again.
So how do I audition for Sarafina?
You can't.
Jonas chose the cast a long time ago.
Competition was really tough.
Why do you think I ended up becoming an understudy?
I could be in the art department?
Crew roles fill up fast.
You'd be lucky to be an assistant to the assistant of the assistant
just to get a part into next year's production.
It's a chance to get into really good art schools.
Man, this school is hella bootsy.
Boo what?
Wack. A drag. Sucks.
Did you guys know that they're back together?
- Who? - Destiny's Hoes.
That didn't last long at all.
Schools are so toxic.
Hey, look. We're also finally a trio.
'Lolo and The Mahotella Queens'.
My mom loves that band.
Ella wants to get a part in Sarafina.
Can you believe it?
It's nothing.
I want you to know this.
I want you to be proud of what we've done right.
And tell the truth
about what we've done wrong and learn from it.
Otherwise...
what's the use of tomorrow...
if we don't learn?
I do not teach communism.
I teach history.
Now history is a beautiful thing.
How do we know this?
Because history teaches you where you come from, ma'am.
That was not his line.
- Sorry. - Noko, come on.
I'll get the hang of it. Promise.
Well, it's clear that some people don't have to work as hard
because of who they're friends with.
I can't work like this!
Um. Okay, that's it for the day, everyone.
Tomorrow, same time.
And please, please learn your lines.
The performances are all over the place.
You need to reign it in.
People love Noko.
He also has a bunch of Instagram followers.
And he's your friend.
Don't worry. He'll come through.
Promise.
Jonas, right?
- I'm Ella. - Everybody knows who you are.
- I have some thoughts. - Who told you I needed thoughts?
The girl playing Mrs. Masombuko?
She's cool, but she'll never embody the spirit of that character.
She wasn't just passionate.
She risked her own life for what was right.
And I can forgive the predominantly white cast, but
a white girl will never understand what that's like
- never mind become it. - Let me guess.
You've seen the movie?
It's not what I'm doing.
Sure.
You're giving Sarafina a post-modern twist.
And I commend you for it.
But the idea of race hasn't vanished.
And representation still matters.
Mildred got the role because she's good.
Or does representation trump excellence?
Buy tickets. See my vision come to life.
Ella Gardner.
Also, non-cast and crew are not allowed in rehearsals.
Jonas really couldn't have chosen a better lead.
Sure.
The girl playing Mrs. Masombuko was also good.
Ah! Mildred.
Gret', are you even in the play?
Mildred's Australian.
Moved here three years ago. Really smart.
Who does she hang out with?
She mostly sticks to herself but is friendly with everybody.
I like she doesn't need anybody.
Meatballs!
I love meatballs!
Does she hang out at the mall?
If you get the lasagna
and give me some of yours, I'll give you some of my meatballs.
I'll get the lasagna.
What did you say her last name was?
- Who? - Mildred.
Oh! Jones.
El, do you think I should go blonde?
I really think it'll bring out my eyes.
Cupcakes.
Mildred...
Jones.
Why?
It's cultural appropriation.
A white girl with a habit of mimicking blackness
should not be playing Mrs. Masombuko in Sarafina.
If this gets out, the whole thing is toast.
And you care because?
I stand up for what's right.
Yeah, right.
I really want to be in the play.
I know how much influence you have around here.
And if you help me out a little, I'll owe you one.
Can you even act?
Bag.
I have to read this for an assignment
due next week.
Phone.
Mildred.
I watched you at rehearsals.
You're pretty good.
Thanks.
But it's cultural appropriation.
Oh, my God. No! Really?
Playing a black teacher who inspires the youth of 1976 Soweto
it's just not appropriate.
Okay. And you are?
Ella.
See, Ella, the play is an interpretation, love.
And Mrs. Masombuka doesn't really exist.
She's fictional.
I can write up a beginner's register on
identity politics if you're struggling.
Now back off...
troll.
I know what you're up to.
The Red Light District
is not as discreet as you think.
That girl shouldn't be playing that role, and you know it.
Really?
Okay.
Don't be surprised when next time there's a real issue,
people don't take you seriously.
What did I miss?
Nothing.
Yeah, hey?
Later, lovelies.
Happy date, darling El.
Whoo. Can't wait to hear all about it.
See you tomorrow, Ella.
Wow.
Look at my daughter...
thinking of other people than herself.
Thanks.
Do you wanna sit?
New book?
Oh, more like three half-ideas.
Wassup?
I saw you're doing a talk at the book fair.
- Mm-hmm. - Can I come?
Well, okay. Hold up.
Who are you? And what did you do with my daughter?
I miss doing cool stuff.
This house gets so boring.
And that stuffy school makes it so hard.
Ella, you do have to try.
I am trying, but I'm late for everything.
Take the play, for instance.
They've already cast and crewed up
before I even got a chance to try out for a part.
I had no idea were interested in theatre.
Lots happened while you were away.
Well...
you are very talented,
and you can do anything that you put your mind to.
Except get into Sarafina.
Saraf- Wow. Okay.
Do you know that your granny actually saw that play on Broadway?
She could not stop talking about it.
Did you see the movie?
Yeah.
How about you try next year?
I'm not planning on being here that long.
I just don't understand how I can help.
You know all sorts of people.
Surely you know someone in the theatre.
Yeah. Okay, well...
let me give it a think.
Thank you.
Sure.
Hmm.
I'll wait for you in the parking lot.
Actually, Wynand...
Ella and I, we're gonna find our way home tonight.
Mrs. Gardner gave me clear instructions-
With all due respect, Wynand...
I'm not the one that's employed by Dianne.
Bye, Wynand.
This was a very transgressive theatre back in the Apartheid days.
And most of the plays that were put on here actually got banned.
And we have always been a story people.
You know, this fair is a response to the mostly white, liberal,
South African literary world.
We too are capable of the greatness that we seek.
South Africa is part glorious beauty and part ravenous beast.
See that is the great Mahmoud Essop.
One of the few Africans to be shortlisted for the Booker.
...to fly right, death looked backwards to unsettle the gaze
and reflect beyond the surface.
You know, very few people know-
Weren't you going to introduce me to your friend?
Patience, young Jedi.
I was getting to it. Come on.
Gardner!
- I haven't seen you since? - Moeketsi's birthday.
Seriously, that man needs to stop with the wine.
Oh, the way he went on and on about his dissertation.
- I'm so glad his wife made him go to bed. - Mm-hmm.
Oh, this is my beautiful, intelligent and very talented daughter, Ella.
- Hello. - Hi.
I know about you and your theatre lab.
It seems great.
Ella, this is Ipeleng.
Ella was hoping she could get in touch with your friend, Hlengiwe,
- about the theatre lab. - Ah, a budding thespian, are you?
I'll happily make the introduction.
Ella, Ipeleng wrote 'Planet Mama', a sci-fi novel about
an African matriarchal society
that has to save planet Earth from an alien invasion.
Oh, I'd love to read that.
Well, I made sure your dad got a copy before it hit the shelves.
Yes. It is brilliant. Remind me to give it to you.
I hope he warned you about how long these panels can take.
Please don't discourage her.
- Oh, it was good to see you, Gabe. - Really good to see you.
- Lovely to meet you. - Nice meeting you.
- See you later. - Bye. - Bye.
What?
Oh, wow. Wow.
Hi. Thank you so much. Oh, you got the book?
Yeah, sure. Of course.
Who should I make it out to?
There are not many differences between the US and China.
Both give massive soft loans to African governments,
which they can never pay back in anybody's lifetime.
And in turn, they take these countries' minerals and resources,
and they take them back as a repayment
I told you, those panels can be arduous.
I didn't want to leave before our chat.
Your dad would have connected us.
- It kind of can't wait. - Okay.
So your friend in the theatre, Hlengiwe
does he accept people year round?
- She. - Oh, she.
Do they have to audition?
Do you wanna find a quiet spot?
Excuse me.
Is this for Greta?
I honestly beg to differ.
I mean, as we know, our American counterparts
have differing views from us in the Global South.
Now, Miss Khumalo, that's not fair.
You know, I may be an American,
but I am very critical of U. S. policy.
Oh...
your girlfriend's here.
Hey, El. You know Lerato, right?
I saw you in rehearsals.
You make a great Sarafina.
Thanks.
Yo, Popps!
I didn't know it was a whole group thing.
Yeah. It's chill.
Stay calm.
What's happening?
You can get away with a lot in this country
if you speak to cops in the local language.
Well, back home in Oakland, things are different.
Like very different.
This way.
Are they not coming?
It's just us.
So yeah, this is kind of just a way for Ethiopians
to feel more at home, you know?
Wait. Are you Ethiopian?
I'm part Ethiopian, but mainly Kenyan.
Right.
Do you miss it?
What? Kenya?
Cool place. Beautiful place.
But you know, all that Susuman stuff is a lot.
- What do you think about him? - Who? Susuman?
I actually heard that he uh, he eats human flesh
you know, to gain strength or something.
Yeah.
And I also heard that
if you call out his name three times
he appears.
Susuman.
- Susuman! - Okay, fine. I get it.
Hello.
You know, I've honestly never not found her here before.
I'm sorry.
It's cool.
All of this is cool.
I mean...
we could stay here or go to McDonald's or something.
You know, I kinda still wanna hang.
Me too.
Two seconds.
Hi, mom.
Okay, I'm coming.
That was my mom. She supposedly has a surprise.
You know, most of the time they're pretty lame.
But, you know, she loves them.
So we play along.
We can hang out another time.
I'm just glad I was saved from having McDonald's.
What?
So you weren't gonna say anything?
Ah, this one.
You good?
I'm cool.
Go ahead. I'll be fine.
Look, I know you like to burn cops and stuff,
but there's no way I'm leaving you on the side of Jeppe Street.
You can't tell anybody about that.
I won't. Promise.
It didn't weird you out?
Nah, I think you're pretty badass.
But um, do you wanna share a ride?
I don't know. We could spend some more time together.
It's like...
I don't know how to "be" here.
I'm always doing something wrong or pissing someone off.
It's like I'm not myself.
Don't be so hard on yourself.
You know Joburg isn't just Indwe High School, right?
There's so much more to this place.
Don't give up on it so soon.
You know I'm always here by your side,
you know, to show you around.
Be like your...
personal tour guide.
Well, you're going to love this place.
I can just feel it.
Maybe I just will.
Thanks for the cool hangout.
Yeah, of course.
Hang on to it.
- Really? - Yeah.
Thanks.
May I?
Yeah.
Market Theatre, right?
Uh! I'll catch you in a bit...
Miss America.
See you.
Um.
Don't you want to come inside
and have something to eat, maybe?
I mean, you're already here outside my house,
and I kind of feel bad that Elsie's was closed earlier.
Let me text my dad.
Are you sure he will be cool with it?
Yeah, he's chilled.
Welcome.
You can just close.
Hello, family.
- Hi. - Hello.
Hi.
Yo! Uncle Zu!
Ah, there is no way.
Look at you. You're so tall, huh?
You know what, let me tell you.
You're very lucky you've got your uncle's good looks, hey.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
It's coming. It's coming slowly.
- That's right. - But are you...
you staying?
- I... - You have to.
If you mean am I leaving tomorrow, no.
I'm staying for a while.
A simple call before arrival would have been nice though.
Oh, snap! I totally forgot.
Ella this is the fam.
My mom, my dad.
And this right here is Uncle Zuri.
Yeah. I haven't seen this guy in two years.
He can play a mean guitar amongst...
- amongst many other things. - Many, many other things.
It's good to meet you, Ella.
Hey, hey.
- Food is ready. - Oh, I'm starving.
A prayer, please Dawoud.
Let's hold hands.
I'll pray.
Dear Lord. Thank you for all you've given us today...
- especially Uncle Zu. - Amen.
And for the food we are about to receive
and the hands that prepared it.
- Amen. - Amen.
You would have said he was on a skateboard
the way that prayer moved so fast.
So what do your parents do?
My dad's a writer and my mom's back in Oakland.
She teaches sometimes.
Didn't you say that you were Ghanaian or was it Ethiopian?
I have Ghanaian ancestry.
Oh, more like ancestry. com.
What are you doing, bro?
It's amazing the things that we can find on the internet these days.
Amina.
How are you finding Joburg, Ella?
The people are nice...
but the separation and high walls, it's very strange.
That's strange.
Can I guess where you would rather be?
Where you don't have to pay rent or work a day in your life?
- Dad. - Yeah.
We haven't even gotten to dessert and he's already complaining.
Wait till I finish the ice cream.
That's rat meat.
A Kenyan delicacy.
Mimi put her own special twist on the seasoning.
It's pretty good.
So, what are you up to these days, Uncle Zu?
Eating calamari in the Kalahari.
- With a band of rastafari. - Hey! Exactly.
But the usual, you know.
Um. I've been traveling this beautiful continent of ours,
trying to find local rural businesses to get involved in.
Mm.
Phones. Ella?
Oh, I forgot.
Where is that?
Ta-da!
Come on, bro.
A few drops won't hurt, huh?
You'll get the most so you don't complain, huh?
- Bring it this way. - For the food.
Don't be shy.
- Are you sure? - Yeah.
Don't go to America and tell them that Uncle Zuri got you drunk.
To family.
It's good to be back. Come here.
Zuri!
Enough!
More? Here you go.
I don't like you.
At all.
Oh, yeah.
That was Nairobi.
I think I was three.
But you'll be glad to know I've become a lot less uptight
in my old age.
So cute.
Nkwashu, anything? Over.
- Negative, we haven't found her. - Okay.
- Let me double check. - Sure, sure, sure.
Um.
Hey, Dianne.
Oh, thank God.
Oh, my God. Okay. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Yeah. I'll see you at the house.
Who's that now?
Thanks again, Wynand for...
you know, for everything.
That's why I'm here, sir.
- See you later, big boy. - Yeah.
I'm really sorry Gabe.
You betrayed my trust.
I don't know why you keep walking around here like...
like living here is some sort of torture.
I just have one question.
At exactly what point did you notice I wasn't there tonight?
Yeah. Um.
You know what?
Tonight, El...
I had the best of times with you.
And I really thought that you did, too.
I will not have you using this abandonment narrative to guilt trip me
because in this case, it's neither fair nor true.
You are grounded, young lady.
Wait. So let me get this straight.
You grounded even more now?
- What does that even mean? - Go to bed.
- Just... - Now.
Go easy on him.
He's about the only thing holding this family together.
I'm sure you figured out this isn't an easy gig.
How did Wynand find me?
The security protocols stay.
- There's no debating that. - I want to go home.
But you don't act like you do.
Who was that boy you were with anyway?
What happened to your mission?
You know what you have to do, El.
What the hell happened?
Hello to you too, Ijemma.
Look, you're right.
It's not cultural appropriation and, frankly, not my style.
It's honestly a bit of a low moment for me.
Good luck with your assignment.
So, Miss America has principles, after all.
Most intriguing.
You won't believe it. Mildred quit!
She was scouted by the Market Theatre Lab.
She told Jonas that she no longer has time for a, quote unquote,
"silly little school play".
The look on his face.
Wait.
Did you-?
Jonas needs a new Mrs. Masombuka ASAP.
We have to audition, Ella.
Hey.
Lolo! Ella and I are auditioning for Mrs. Masombuka!
Lucky for us, the very talented Mildred Jones
no longer has time for a, quote unquote "silly little school play".
Right, Greta?
We can audition together.
I know all the lines and exactly how Jonas likes them.
- That sounds so sexual. - Would you help us?
Oh, yes. Please, Lolo.
Not before you tell me exactly what happened on your date.
Ella went to Dawoud's house.
- You what? - Wait.
Why didn't you guys tell me about Amina?
- It was Lolo. - Greta.
Okay, but honestly,
would you have gone out with him?
Wait.
Did you kiss?
Hmm.
Jonas always says we should speak more casually.
Okay, fine.
But how would I say "I do not teach communism" in Zulu?
Mm.
Angifundisi isikomanisi.
Wait. Did you just say communism again?
Girl, that's the word.
Maybe communism is so normal in "African"
it doesn't need a special word.
Otherwise, what's the use of tomorrow if you don't learn?
Somebody in this room has got the wrong idea.
I do not teach communism.
I teach history.
History is a beautiful thing.
Do you know why?
History teaches us about where we come from.
I want you to learn about where we came from.
Otherwise, what's the use of tomorrow if you don't learn?
Well done, Ella.
Thanks, Gret'.
She could get into the role,
but she needs to work double-time.
She really needs to tone it down.
Mildred was so good.
What choice do you have?
She'll have to do, sans the bad Zulu and the weird accent.
Ella, you're in.
What?
Jonas?
I'll only take the part if Greta gets a spot in the chorus.
- No, Ella. Please! - What?
She knows the play more than anyone else.
Even you.
Sure.
Whatever.
Oh, my goodness!
May I please have your attention!
I thought hard about me being here.
And I realised I have a lot on my plate...
and it's dragging all of your hard work down.
So I've decided to quit.
You guys are going to kill it.
Break a leg, comrades!
I'll be rooting for you.
Noko, wait.
Do you think the play is cursed?
I think I'm cursed.
- The Noko thing, it isn't working! - We all want Noko, okay?
We're all desperate for you to return.
- Who was there? What happened? - I'm so tired of all this.
What? Are you going to run away again?
- I need a fake passport. - What?
Looks like someone's doing something a little dodgy.
Do you really need this passport?
Surely you can talk to your parents.
Leave this place.
I can't believe I'm actually in Soweto.
Guys, my hood is not a theme park.
Oh, you know Dawoud?
We've skated together once or twice.