South Africans who grew up laughing at Leon Schuster's slapstick pranks and outrageous disguises have reason to celebrate. MultiChoice has officially lifted its five-year ban on some of Schuster's classic films, returning them to DStv and Showmax after they were removed over concerns about racial insensitivity.
The ban dates back to June 2020, when the global conversation around race intensified following George Floyd's tragic death in the United States. At that time, broadcasters worldwide were reviewing content that could be seen as offensive, and Schuster's comedies were caught in the spotlight.
Schuster's humour often relied on elaborate disguises, including makeup to portray characters of different races, blackface and brownface -- which many now recognise as offensive. In 2020, MultiChoice removed six titles from Showmax:
Additional titles like Mr Bones, Mr Bones 2: Back from the Past, and Mama Jack were also banned. At the time, only Schuster's 2018 comedy Frank & Fearless made a brief return to streaming.
Showmax emphasised that these films were "products of their time," created with "positive intent," but acknowledged the need to balance nostalgia with social responsibility.
With the ban lifted, Schuster's early comedies are once again available to stream. MultiChoice hasn't publicly explained the reasoning behind the decision, but the move has reignited discussions among South Africans about humour, history, and evolving cultural norms.
On social media, reactions have been mixed. Some fans are thrilled:
"Finally! We can all laugh at these classics again. Schuster's pranks are part of our childhood!" - Twitter user @MzansiLaughter
Others remain cautious, reflecting on how some jokes don't age well:
"I grew up loving these movies, but we also need to acknowledge the problematic stuff. Context matters." - Instagram user @SowetoStories
Leon Schuster is more than just a filmmaker; he's a cultural icon. For decades, his movies have been a staple of South African pop culture, blending slapstick, pranks, and local flavour. While some elements of his early work clash with today's sensitivity standards, the films also capture a snapshot of South African humour and society in the 1990s and 2000s.
For South African audiences, this reinstatement offers a chance to revisit a beloved part of local entertainment history, but with a more critical lens. It's a reminder that comedy evolves, and so does the conversation around representation.
Whether it's the chaos of You Must Be Joking or the adventure of Mr Bones, Schuster's comedies are back for another round of laughs. As they return to screens, the question remains: How do we enjoy nostalgia while learning from the past?
South Africans now have the chance to laugh again, but this time, with awareness.