THe Second Chapter Campaign!

"South Africas negotiated transition from white rule to democracy was one of the wonders of the late twentieth century. But it was only the first chapter of the postliberation narrative." -Alec russell

More than fifteen years since the end of Apartheid, corruption within the ruling African National Congress (ANC) has left South Africans poorer and more divided than ever before. It continues to stall the fight against poverty, AIDS, and crime in a country with the highest number of people infected with HIV, and the second highest rate of violent crimes in the world.

Maree v. State is not just a film; its a campaign for South Africas second chapter -- the realization of the ideals of the liberation struggle: economic equality, democracy, and good governance.

Short-term Goals

As Andrew Feinstein notes, almost everything that has gone wrong in South Africa in the past ten years has its roots in this arms deal. Thus, efforts to open a comprehensive independent investigation into the arms deal will be the short-term focus of our outreach and engagement strategy.

Partnering with South African civil society organizations such as the Institute for Democracy in South Africa (IDASA), labor unions such as the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), and opposition parties such as the Independent Democrats, we will encourage viewers to sign and share our online petition to open and prioritize a comprehensive independent investigation into South Africa's $4.8 billion arms deal.

Upon signing the petition, viewers will be encouraged to:

Register to join our online anti-corruption communityDonate funds in support of civil society organizations working against corruptionEmail their Representatives and Heads of State and encourage them to be outspoken anti-corruption advocatesScreen the film for their friends and familyShare their stories of and experiences with corruption through blogs, text messages, and multimedia

Long-term Goals

The battle against political corruption begins with an informed citizenry, and ideally results in a reformed judiciary. Thus, efforts to improve access to information, strengthen the freedom and integrity of the press, and reform the South African judicial system will be the long-term focus of our outreach and engagement strategy:Working with FilmAid International, we will screen the film for the most impoverished and underserved communities in South Africa. Screenings will range from intimate discussions of 40 people to large outdoor screenings, reaching thousands at one time.Working with OMelveny & Myers LLP, we will provide pro bono anti-corruption training and networking opportunities to African law students and young civil servants.Working with Facing History & Ourselves, we will develop toolkits and study guides to inform young people about their elected officials and will empower them to hold their representatives accountable.Working with Artists for a New South Africa (ANSA), we will hold screenings and salons (with traditional South African food and wine), encouraging a global dialogue between the next generation of citizens, politicians, and activists about ethics in politics, transparency, and civic engagement.With funding from a Fulbright Scholarship, we will invite students from townships throughout South Africa to participate in the creation of behind-the-scenes and special feature segments throughout the production process. The goal of this element is to help young South Africans learn the fundamentals of filmmaking and photographyfrom composition to lightingso they can use their skills to support themselves and their families.Throughout the production process, we will also keep a digital photo journal to capture the beauty and diversity of Southern Africa. Working with the Open Society Institute (OSI), these photos will be used to design a large-format, interactive art exhibit in major cities around the world, with a focus on the U.S. and South Africa.