The plot focuses on students involved in the Soweto Uprising, in opposition to the implementation of Afrikaans as the language of instruction in schools.

In the opening scene, Sarafina is seen talking while staring at Nelson Mandela's picture, at the time the South African icon was still imprisoned.

In a later scene Sarafina is again talking while staring at Mandela's picture on the wall, criticizing him for being gone for a long time and not responding to the nation's pleas, idolising him as someone who can change the horrific situation that South Africa is in.

By the time filming started, Nelson Mandela was freed and apartheid was abolished, though racial tensions were still high.

The kids in the cast were performing what they lived.” Given the racism that was still prevalent in South Africa post-apartheid, there were concerns that the filming of scenes showing protests and rioting would fan the flames.

[6][3] Years later, Whoopi Goldberg mentioned on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah (who said the film was a hit in South Africa), that the ‘92 LA rebellion happened at the same time that Sarafina!

in February 1992 after seeing 40 minutes of footage; in turn, Miramax licensed those rights to Disney (with its subsidiary, Hollywood Pictures) after the film was screened at Cannes.