Black Diamonds

The story of the Black Nouveau Riche.

Richard in front of his house.

They hang out in glitzy bars, drive luxury cars, compete for the best homes and shop in upmarket stores. South Africa’s black middle class has arrived.

Black Diamonds presents a portrait of the new black middle class in South Africa. Multimillionaire Felicia is an entrepreneur, who works and lives in both South Africa and the United States. Young people see her as a role model; she is a black girl from Soweto who has made her dreams come true. Millionaire Richard is assimilated and lives in a predominantly white and fenced-off area. As a result of the government’s affirmative action scheme, he has become a rich and well-respected businessman. Vusi is a real-estate millionaire-to-be, who has worked himself up from rags to riches but still lives in Soweto.

Johannesburg, South Africa Documentary 55 min. 2010 English spoken.

Felicia Mabuza-Suttle

Vuzi in front of his B&B in Soweto

Director & camera Saskia Vredeveld, research Henna Renfurm