WeeklySA_AdminCONDITION: A deeply personal South African documentary exploring dementia through the lives of former Bafana Bafana coach Clive Barker, ordinary families and cultural icons will be showcased at the world’s premier Alzheimer’s conference in London, taking stories of resilience, love and caregiving to a global audience…
By WSAM Reporter
South Africa’s growing conversation around dementia will receive global attention this weekend when the documentary Hearts Remember is presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) in London.
The film, directed by award-winning filmmaker Paul Modjadji, tells deeply personal South African stories that challenge misconceptions about dementia while highlighting the resilience of families living with the condition.
Among its most moving narratives is the first on-screen account of legendary Bafana Bafana coach Clive Barker’s battle with Lewy body dementia. Through the reflections of his son, John Barker, audiences gain an intimate understanding of the illness that gradually ended one of South Africa’s most celebrated football careers.
“The country deserved to know why he wasn’t coaching anymore,” John Barker says in the documentary.
The film also follows Marinda Breedt as she shares her journey with Alzheimer’s disease, while social media personality Nduduzo Kay recounts the experience of caring for his grandmother, Zithi Elisabeth Khoza, who lived with dementia.
Rather than presenting dementia through a purely clinical lens, Hearts Remember focuses on the emotional and human realities of diagnosis, caregiving and the enduring bonds between families.
“It is a tremendous honour to be invited to the AAIC 2026 conference to present a collection of deeply moving South African stories on a subject that is hardly spoken about in our society,” said Modjadji.
“The contributors invited us into their homes and lives with the shared hope of shedding light within our communities while reminding all of us of the power of love to connect us through the various stages of ageing and mental health.”
Neurologist and Memorability founder Dr Kirti Rachod believes the documentary carries an important message about compassion.
“One of the greatest lessons is our responsibility to care and love even when the only outcome is loss and grief, and that even in moments of despair, we remain gentle with those we love,” she said.
The documentary also features celebrated actresses Abigail Kubeka and Lillian Dube, whose reflections on ageing and mental wellbeing add another dimension to the film.
The London screening marks another milestone for Hearts Remember, which earlier premiered at the 17th International Federation on Ageing Conference and was later screened at the Human Rights Film Festival in Johannesburg.
Its international presentation comes at a time when dementia is emerging as one of Africa’s fastest-growing health challenges. The continent’s population aged 60 and older is expected to increase from about 75 million today to roughly 235 million by 2050, while the World Health Organization estimates that more than 57 million people worldwide are living with dementia, with almost 10 million new cases diagnosed each year.
Supported by the Alzheimer’s Association, Hearts Remember aims to break the silence surrounding dementia by replacing fear and misunderstanding with empathy, awareness and hope.
As the documentary carries South African voices onto one of the world’s most influential platforms for dementia research, it delivers a simple but powerful reminder: while memories may fade, humanity, dignity and love remain.
