Despite years of criticism regarding racial portrayals and stereotypes in some of his films, 75-year-old artist Leon Schuster does not plan to abandon his humor or stop making movies.
He asserts that his work has always aimed to bring South Africans together through humor, and he hopes to be remembered as someone who contributed to nation-building.
In an interview with SABC presenter Leanne Manas, Schuster reflected on the controversies surrounding his career, his love for South Africans, and his determination to keep working.
His film 'Mama Jack,' where he portrayed a Black woman, drew particular criticism, as some accused him of cultural appropriation. However, Schuster explained that this character was inspired by his observations of domestic workers and their experiences in South Africa.
He stated: 'By the way, the role I love most in all my films is Mama Jack. She was a charming Black woman. I was simply depicting the reality of South Africa. This film was a kind of reality show for South Africa,' he said.
Schuster recounted spending hours observing his domestic worker, Sarah, studying her culture and daily life before embodying this image. He also recalled dressing up as Mama Jack and walking through the streets of Cape Town to gauge people's reactions. He noted: 'The coloured guys on the streets loved her, and I realized I had won over that part. Because they identified with this woman.'
When asked if there was anything to apologize for in his comedic approach, Schuster defended his method, saying that he has always been fascinated by people's behavior and manners. He emphasized: 'I am a comedian, and I will die a comedian. I will never stop. South Africans love humor. They prefer to mock another person. That is a fact.'
Schuster added that understanding his audience is important, describing himself as someone striving to please people who tried to give viewers what they wanted. His films were temporarily removed from the Showmax and DStv platforms in 2020 due to concerns about racial insensitivity, after which they were restored in 2025.
Discussions surrounding his work remain part of the public discourse on his career. A series of documentaries dedicated to Schuster's life and legacy has also reignited discussions about his career, including the success of films like 'You Must Be Joking' and 'Mama Jack.'
Despite the criticism, Schuster is firmly determined to continue making films and refute the idea that age should force him out of the industry. He is currently working on a new film for Netflix. He stated: 'I want to prove to people and dispute the idea that I am now old and should leave this space.'
He reported that due to health issues, he will need to use a wheelchair in certain scenes of the upcoming production.
Responding to the question of how he wishes to be remembered, Schuster said he hopes to be perceived as a humble man from Free State who loved his work and helped unite people. He concluded: 'I just want to be remembered as a cheerful guy who loved his job and influenced the unification of our different demographic groups.'
