Shot over seven days in Durban, South Africa, and Ponto Do Ouro, Mozambique, "Woza" – which means "come" in Zulu – tells the story of an African surfer who has been taken as a lover by the African water spirit Mami Wata. It features 22-year-old Transkei surfer Avuyile Ndamase and was directed by Argentinian duo Pato Martinez and Francisco Canton (Pantera). Featuring the track 'Asazani' by Soweto-based BCUC, the film was awarded a bronze at the Cannes Festival of Creativity and “Best Cinematography” at the Patagonia Film Festival and has also been selected to run at the Berlin Surf Film festival and Ombak Bali Surf Film Festival.
This film was created by Cape Town-based African surf brand Mami Wata, named for the same Mother Ocean spirit who features in the film. The brand is rooted in a deep love of Africa and a passion for surfing. The company, which produces premium African surf clothing and accessories, is still in its start-up phase of development, but has fast established a local and global presence, receiving an overwhelmingly positive response, both at country and abroad.
“Surfing is growing throughout the African continent, not just in South Africa, but also Namibia, Mozambqiue, Sierra Leone, Ghana and more. We wanted to create something that was quintessentially African, and which celebrated the surf breaks and iconic surf lifestyle of the continent,” explains Nick Dutton, Co-Founder and CEO of Mami Wata
Surrounded by four different seas and oceans, Africa is a continent with some of the world’s finest surf. For the seekers who find and ride her waves Mami Wata design and produce premium surf apparel, surfboards and accessories, inspired by the continent. All development, design and manufacturing takes place in Africa.