The echoes of war resonate far beyond the battlefield. This is the powerful message at the heart of Unspoken War, a new documentary series that delves into the shadows of a conflict that continues to shape Southern Africa. Streaming on Showmax and premiering on M-Net, this series, from International Emmy nominee IdeaCandy, promises to be a raw and haunting exploration of a brutal, covert war.
This war, fought between 1966 and 1989, is known by many names: the South African Border War, the Angolan Bush War, or the Namibian War of Independence. But regardless of what you call it, its impact is undeniable.
Director Nikki Comninos (known for Convict Conman and Tracking Thabo Bester) emphasizes the deep connection we all have to this conflict. "If you live in southern Africa, you have been touched by it," she says. "Whether a family member fought in the war or resisted it, or because you were impacted by the imprint these conflicts left on society. The reverberations are everywhere – in generational relationships, community dynamics, the security industry, and even in boarding school and hostel culture." This war profoundly shaped modern South Africa, yet it remains largely unexamined in our national conversation. That silence felt dangerous."
Nikki's personal connection to the war runs deep. Born in Zimbabwe as a result of the conflict, her father sought political exile to avoid conscription, while her mother, Julie Frederikse, covered the war as a foreign correspondent. Julie's personal archive and presence in the series provide a unique perspective.
"The experience brought us closer – she was both a historical resource and a huge emotional support," Nikki recalls. "I learned things about her I never knew, even though we’re close. I didn’t realise she flew into the operational area for press tours. As a female journalist at that time, she was exceptionally determined – a tough cookie, as they say.”
But here's where it gets controversial... Nikki explains that the time to tell this story is now. "This history was disappearing… The generation that fought in this war is ageing, and many were taking their stories to the grave – whether from shame, trauma, or the belief that no one wanted to listen. We realised if we didn't document these voices now, we'd lose them forever.”
The research process revealed significant gaps in the historical record. "War tends to be told through a very masculine lens," Nikki explains. "We definitely wanted to counter that with this series. Women and children are brushed over as casualties of war, but they endure the absences and the trauma that comes home. I was interested in the private grief and resilience in this story. Practically, I hope this series becomes a resource for families trying to understand their parents or grandparents.”
In Unspoken War, Julie emphasizes the importance of hearing the voices of the people, not just accepting official narratives. "Official narratives are often sanitised or weaponised for political purposes,” Nikki adds. The series features interviews with a diverse group of people, including conscripts, Special Battalion leaders, conscientious objectors, exiles, families, and PLAN (People’s Liberation Army of Namibia) fighters. This grassroots approach reveals the human cost that official records often conceal.
And this is the part most people miss... Some of the soldiers interviewed were conscripted at just 16 years old. Nikki reflects on the lasting impact, stating, "What became clear to me is that when elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers. That was my lasting takeaway – all the soldiers we spoke to were hurting. But often that hurt was masked by foregrounding other emotions. Their stories revealed a deep paradox: expressing pride in their service while simultaneously showing signs of deep trauma. That cognitive dissonance, that need to find meaning in their suffering, was heartbreaking."
The interviews revealed a shared sense of betrayal. "Almost everyone, regardless of which side they were on, felt betrayed," Nikki says. "Conscripts felt betrayed by the state that sent them. Resisters also felt betrayed by their political systems. Families felt betrayed by the silence. Everyone shared the experience of being a pawn in war. That shared sense of betrayal became a through-line I hadn't anticipated.”
The act of sharing these stories proved to be cathartic for many. "Many expressed thanks afterwards, and that suggested to me that the act of telling, of being heard, has value in itself,” Nikki says. She hopes Unspoken War will "create permission for people to finally speak about what they've been carrying in silence. For me, a happy ending would mean a greater understanding between us all – opening up a space for understanding other people's pressures, motivations, and experiences. We are all human and we share universal emotions and desires, even though from the outside it often seems there is an inconceivable divide between us. We are more the same than we want to believe.”
What do you think? Does the documentary's focus on individual stories offer a more complete picture of the war? Do you believe that bearing witness to these experiences can contribute to reconciliation? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Binge Unspoken War on Showmax now or watch at 9 PM on Wednesdays on M-Net until December 10, 2025.
