STORY: Blood Diamond

Last year the Mzamba community found another income generating activity: they hosted the movie set for Blood Diamond. As we looked out onto the spectacular river and gorge, they explained that almost the entire movie was shot here just last year. It was pretty interesting to overlay the sight before me with the crazy scenes of the movie…

The community benefited greatly from this experience. They said that the American company was excellent, and they went out of their way to respect sensitive areas (like the scattered grave sites). They also did a great job of rehabilitating the area. And, they hired 600 locals as extras.

I met a few extras, and they told me that they had so much fun getting to play with all of the guns and props… and the guy pictured here was one of the lucky ones who you can really see in the movie. (if you watch: he is the guy with long dreadlocks leading one of the enemy armies)