Our St Helena Community might be interested to learn about Professor Dan Yon’s documentary Sathima’s Windsong, about the life and times of jazz vocalist Sathima Benjamin. a descendant of one of the many St Helenian families who emigrated to the Cape (South Africa) had its world premiere at the Encounters Film Festival in Cape Town in 2011 when it was voted runner-up for the Audience Award. It is currently being shown as part of two other festivals in South Africa in October and November
This documentary is one of three important films produced by Professor Dan. Each film explores the unique yet connected stories of St Helena’s people and their journeys beyond the Island. The other two films share stories of St Helenian men “Mining Memories” who went to work in the copper mines of South Africa in 1907, and “One Hundred Men,” which follows the journey of men who travelled to England in 1949 to work on farms.
All three documentaries reflect aspects of St Helena’s history and the migration of its people as they sought opportunities abroad. The films also highlight Professor Yon’s deep commitment to portraying these experiences with authenticity and emotional depth, bringing together personal memories and collective heritage to tell the broader story of identity.
Dan brings a wealth of experience to his filmmaking. His career in Education has spanned continents, beginning on St Helena where he served as Head of the Secondary Selective School, He later worked as a lecturer and writer for the National Curriculum Development Department (CDU) in Harare. He left Zimbabwe to pursue postgraduate studies at York University in Toronto, Canada, where he completed a Master’s Degree in Social Anthropology (1991) and a PhD i1995). His widely-cited book, Elusive Culture (2000) is a reworking of his dissertation. Dan went on to become a Professor of Social Anthropology jointly appointed to York University’s Department of Anthropology and the Faculty of Education
During his years on St Helena, Professor Dan also played a key role in establishing the Island’s Heritage Society, contributing to the development of its museum, which initially occupied two rooms in Broadway House. His lifelong interest in history, migration, and memory continues to shape his work as both an educator and filmmaker.
Professor Dans documentary Sathima’s Windsong (2010), which profiles the acclaimed South African jazz vocalist Sathima Benjamin, has been featured as part of The Big Sound Film Festival in Cape Town this is a month-long celebration of South African Jazz and resistance, running from 3rd to the 24th November 2025, the festival will feature a powerful lineup of documentary and narrative films, The film offers a lyrical and deeply personal portrait of Sathima’s life, tracing her journeys from St Helena to Cape Town, Zurich, and New York.
The inclusion of Sathima’s Windsong in this festival shows of Professor Yon’s ability to connect St Helena’s story to a global audience through film. His documentaries remind us that the Island’s history reaches far beyond the shores of St Helena carried in the voices, songs, and memories of our people.
Professor Dan Yon should be warmly congratulated for the continued recognition of his work, which brings St Helena’s heritage to life and ensures that the stories of its people, past and present, are heard and celebrated around the world.