WATCH: Manenberg streets transformed into open-air cinema for children

Open-air cinema is far from a modern invention. Its roots stretch back to the early 20th century, with the first official drive-in cinema opening in New Jersey in 1933.

Since then, watching films beneath the stars has become a global summer staple.

Here in South Africa, Cape Town has embraced the tradition in its own vibrant way. From the well-loved Galileo Open Air Cinema to seaside screenings in Clifton, locals and tourists flock to picnic blankets and beanbags for a dose of cinematic magic.

But lately, open-air cinema has popped up somewhere unexpected, right in the heart of Manenberg.

Manenberg is a name many South Africans recognise, too often prefaced by headlines about gang violence, poverty and unrest. It’s a community painted in broad strokes by the media, rarely portrayed beyond its struggles.

But behind the statistics are people, families, dreamers and children who deserve joy just as much as anyone sipping wine on a lawn in Constantia.

And recently, someone gave them exactly that.

While scrolling on Instagram, I stumbled across a video on Instagram that stopped me in my tracks. A group of children sat huddled together, eyes glued to a projector screen glowing in the night.

By the looks of it, they were watching the movie "Coco", and if you've seen that Pixar masterpiece, you’ll know it’s an emotional rollercoaster. I sobbed watching "Coco" on my own couch. So seeing these kids watching it together in the street finished me.”

The post came from The Aim Society, captioned: “Transforming the streets of Manenberg into a cinema!”

No fancy equipment. No massive budgets. Just a projector, a wall, some speakers and a whole lot of heart. The video has been met with overwhelmingly positive responses, and rightly so. It’s not just about entertainment but also about saying: You deserve happiness, even here. Especially here.

In a country where we’re so used to bad news, it was a reminder that hope is still being built quietly, gently, by people who refuse to let their environment define their joy.

@ndumiso_mtwana commented: "I would like to see more of this side of Manenburg."

@meet_the_who also commented: "This is good 🔥👏building a safer community run by a failed government."

"God bless the community for allowing the kids to be kids and experience this wonder without any violence." @nadzcassiem wrote.