About

Hard Livings is a documentary film about a family, but in effect it's a film about a city, a country and a continent plagued by ills stemming from inequality. It's a film that has no choice but to be entertaining because the story is so compelling, yet it's a film rooted in the quest for solutions - for entertainment only serves to distract, solutions is what the world really needs.

Cape Town is considered one of the most beautiful places in the world, but beneath her angelic mask lie scars. Scars obtained during Apartheid; scars that drive the underworld of gangsterism and drugs that had taken hold of the city. Rashaad Staggie was a man that made the most of these scars. With his twin, Rashied, as well as his other brothers, Solomon, Agmat and Amien at his side, and through the use of violence and sheer cunning, their gang - The Hard Livings - became the most feared street gang in the whole of Africa.

In 1996 Rashaad is killed and set alight by a group of fundamentalist Muslim vigilantes known as PAGAD ( People Against Gangsterism and Drugs); a march with initial peaceful intentions turning out to become one of the most gruesome murder scenes in South Africa’s history. PAGAD’s mission is simple: either drug lords are to stop their activities or they will face the wrath of Allah. The murder of Rashaad Staggie was broadcast in its entirety on South African television and was covered intensely by international media such as CNN and BBC. Rashaad’s twin brother Rashied united all the street gangs in Cape Town to fight a war with an unflinching PAGAD. The South African police were on the outskirts, immobile as they attempted to curb the anarchy that might question the idea South Africa’s fledgling new democracy.

As Cape Town and South Africa prepared itself for an urban war, the question on everyone’s mind was, “Where did this family come from, and will Cape Town ever be rid of gangs and gang violence?”

Twenty years later and for the first time in years, all the brothers are free and unshackled from prison life. They speak about their memories and their quest for redemption. They tell us a story, the story of their family, the story of Cape Town and South Africa -  the story of the Hard Livings.

Director's Statement

I've always respected directors who attempt to make personal films. There's a certain serene empathy about these films, yet there's an underlying simmering passion coursing through their veins. Hard Livings is a personal film. It's a personal film with far reaching tentacles.

I was twelve years old when I witnessed my uncle, Rashaad Staggie's death on T.V. I was thirteen when the vigilante group PAGAD ( People Against Gangsterism and Drugs) decided to shoot at and petrol bomb my house. I was fourteen when my father was convicted of murder and sentenced to twenty five years in prison. Needless to say, my life has been affected by gangsterism. I've seen it's destruction at a very, very personal level.

As the years have progressed and my experiences have grown, I have been able to look at the whole gangster situation in Cape Town very objectively. Whenever I returned home it seemed like the problem just escalated as gang war after gang war took place. This upset me enormously because my family has paid dearly for their transgressions. I asked myself, why should future generations do the same?

Hard Livings is not a film glamorizing gangsters; it's a film showing the immense pitfalls one encounters if such a life is chosen. It's also a film that shows the outside world what causes these choices to be made. At it's core it deals with South African issues, but it can easily be set in any poverty stricken city in the world. Although to be fair, it would be difficult to find such a compelling story and such vibrant, charismatic characters such as my twin uncles.

Gangs are a worldwide problem that many claim will never cease. As an extreme optimist I will do my share by making this film. I have seen enough death and I have seen enough struggle, thus I'm fully committed to to make sure that this film's mission does indeed reach fruition.

Progress - July 2020

Production Funding Greenlit: National Film and Video Foundation of South Africa

Principal Photography Completed

Editing Completed

Premiere: Durban International Film Festival 2021