Lefa
The Boys we left behind
A documentary about the epidemic of gender-based violence in South Africa,
and one community’s journey to heal the boys – and men – left behind.
44% of sexually abused children
in South Africa are boys
Boys report childhood sexual abuse at rates nearly equal to girls, yet fewer than 1% of GBV services in the country support them.
This invisible epidemic of gender-based violence (GBV) against boys hurts the entire community.
Because they grow into men who continue the cycle of violence.
We’re raising funds to create a documentary that will shed light on these important and unheard stories, and to support the creation of an abuse recovery center especially for men and boys — to help the whole community.
When we tell our story, we can begin to heal
A broken man cannot raise a wholesome family.
the film
In a small kingdom in Mpumalanga, South Africa, a community touched by sexual violence is raising a men’s rehabilitation center from bare land. This film follows the tapestry of voices around its rise — mothers, healers, police, survivors, and everyday people — from King Mlambo II's royal court, to the street sweeper outside the gate.
NARRATIVE ARC: One community’s journey from the pain of GBV towards healing, following the construction of a men’s abuse recovery center from open space to open doors.
GENRE: Documentary.
LANGUAGE: English and siSwati, with some other South African languages.
FORMAT:
Phase one (2027): short film (8–12 minutes), South African audience.
Phase two (2028-2029): feature documentary (75–90 minutes).
VISUAL STYLE: Observational documentary, natural light, no narrator. Each person speaks in their own language, with their own voice.
OUR VISION:
HEALING THE SOURCE
What If We Healed the Boys & Men That Were Left Behind & Forgotten?
They’d stop lashing out in the form of emotional, physical, sexual, substance or alcohol abuse?
Imagine a South Africa where men and boys who survived sexual trauma have a safe place to heal.
Where they learn to process pain instead of passing it on.
Where they become better sons, brothers, boyfriends, husbands, and fathers.
Where healed men raise stronger families.
Stronger families build healthier communities.
And a healed people lift an entire nation.
That future begins with one rural community and a 3-hectare gift of land from King Mlambo II.
We are building South Africa’s first dedicated Health & Wellness Abuse Recovery Centre for Boys and Men but first, we must make the world see why it matters.
A Documentary That Refuses to Look Away
A film about one community’s courage to face the pain, break the silence, and build healing from the ground up.
This is not another film that only shows the problem.
This is a story of hope in action — following the journey of a men’s rehabilitation centre rising on royal land, told through the raw, honest voices of mothers, survivors, healers, police, perpetrators, teenagers, and elders.
No narrator. No outsiders speaking over them.
Just South Africans telling their own truth in their own languages.
We begin with a powerful short film (8-12 minutes) shot in South Africa - late 2026.
This short film will open doors on an international scale, including collaborating production houses, film festivals, and unlock major funding for the full feature film, and the physical Recovery Centre.
WHY THIS MATTERS NOW
South Africa’s intimate-partner femicide rate nearly halved over two decades of society-wide intervention … and then increased by 30% since 2021 (SAMRC).
The evidence is clear: When communities confront trauma together, violence drops dramatically.
This film, supported by King Mlambo and the communities of Mpumalanga, will make this change.
MEET THE TEAM
Director: Ansley Sawyer
Award-winning, Emmy-nominated filmmaker with a proven track record of intimate, impactful documentaries.
Lumka
Title & pictures of Warner Bros, universal studios etc
Shanei Born
Executive Producer & Creator – Visionary behind the project. Secured royal land partnership, build the digital impact and distribution strategy, and helped to bring the core team together.
WILL YOU STAND WITH US?
An investment of $80,000 is needed to produce a world-class documentary short film.
Every dollar goes toward professional filming, ethical community engagement, and telling this story with the dignity and power it deserves.
When this short film moves people, we take it to the world with film festivals, funders, and global partners to build the Recovery Centre and create real, lasting change.
This is more than a film.
This is the beginning of healing for thousands of boys and men who have been invisible for too long.
Be part of breaking the cycle.
You are welcome to help us fund this project
The silence is itself the EMERGENCY
Everyone on this street has been waiting to be asked.
We’re asking.
Will you help us give these boys and men their voices back?
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