Leon Schuster does not regret the films and pranks that have made him one of South Africa's most recognizable artists. He insists that his comedy has always been aimed at bringing people together, despite criticism regarding his portrayal of different races.
The comedian and film director, aged 75, has faced intense scrutiny over the years for using blackface and racial stereotypes in his work. Nevertheless, he hopes his legacy will be remembered for the laughter he brought to audiences and his contribution to unifying South Africans.
In an exclusive interview with SABC presenter Leanne Manas, Schuster reflected on the controversies surrounding his work, his love for South Africans, and his determination to continue making films despite his age and health issues.
One film that drew particular criticism was 'Mom Jack,' in which Schuster portrayed a Black woman. This character faced accusations of cultural appropriation, raising questions about how race and identity are depicted.
However, Schuster defended this role, stating that it was inspired by his observations of domestic workers and their experiences in South Africa. He noted: 'By the way, the role I love most from all my films is Mom Jack. She was a lovely Black woman. I was simply depicting South African reality. This film was a kind of reality show for South Africa.'
He recounted spending hours observing his domestic worker, Sarah, studying her culture and daily life before embodying the character. Schuster also recalled dressing up as Mom Jack and walking through the streets of Cape Town to gauge people's reactions. He added: 'The coloured guys on the streets loved her, and I knew I had won that part. Because they identified with this woman.'
When asked if he had anything to apologize for, Schuster remained defiant about his approach to comedy, stating that his fascination with people's behavior and mannerisms has always influenced his creativity. He firmly declared: 'I am a clown, and I will die a clown. I will never stop. South Africans love humor. They prefer to mock another person. That is a fact.'
He emphasized the importance of understanding his audience, describing himself as someone striving to please people who wanted to give the viewers what they liked. His films were temporarily removed from the Showmax and DStv platforms in 2020 due to concerns about racial insensitivity, after which they were reinstated in 2025.
Despite the controversies surrounding his work, Schuster appears resolute in his desire to continue entertaining the public and challenging perceptions of what people can achieve in old age.
The artist announced that he is working on a new film with Netflix and has no intention of leaving the industry just because of his age. He stated: 'I want to prove to people and disprove the idea that I am now an old man and should leave this space.'
He also acknowledged that his health will present certain difficulties during filming, specifying that for some scenes in the upcoming film, he will need to use a wheelchair. Looking back on his career, Schuster expressed hope that he will be remembered not only for his comedy but also for the role he believes he played in uniting South Africans from different segments of society. He concluded: 'I just want to be remembered as a cheerful guy who loved his job and who had an impact on uniting our different demographic groups.'
