South African Film Festival

The friendship bench

Available in 21d 10h 09m 09s
Available May 11, 2025 12:00 AM UTC
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In 2006, Dr. Dixon Chibanda, a psychiatrist in Zimbabwe, was ordered by the government to deal with the severe mental health crisis afflicting the nation. However, there was literally a handful of psychiatrists in the entire country, which meant searching for a solution beyond conventional medicine. That forced him to consider grandmothers (Gogos) as his only option. Starting with a group of 14 Gogos, he began training them in cognitive therapy to treat depression on public benches. 


By creating a narrative tapestry through the stories of the Gogos and the lives of their clients, the film explores Dr. Dixon’s visionary initiative of establishing a Friendship Bench within communities everywhere. His initiative has since expanded throughout Zimbabwe into neighboring countries and beyond to communities all over the world.

  • Year
    2024
  • Runtime
    75 minutes
  • Language
    English, Shona
  • Country
    South Africa
  • Awards
    Encounters Refinery - Best Edited Film Award, Sotambe Zambi - Best Film In Southern Africa
  • Director
    Reabeste Moeti-Vogt
  • Producer
    Graham Leader
  • Cast
    Dr Dixon Chibanda
  • Editor
    David Jakubovic