This is where the phenomenon started. It serves as a foundational "rise to power" story, introducing the core cast and the unforgiving landscape of the township. The Review:

When we talk about authentic South African crime dramas, the spotlight often falls on Johannesburg’s Yizo Yizo or Cape Town’s Four Corners . But if you want raw, unfiltered hustle culture, (the second largest township in Durban) has quietly become the spiritual home of KwaZulu-Natal’s grittiest cinema.

: Raw cinematography that residents felt was a true reflection of the challenges in Durban townships . Umlazi Gangster 7

This is the you didn’t know existed. Directed by a local female filmmaker from Umlazi’s GG Section, it follows Thuli , a teenage izitokotela (witch doctor/gang hybrid) who runs a crew of orphaned girls stealing car parts and selling umqombothi (traditional beer) laced with rat poison to rival male gangs.