A little-known chapter of South Africa’s history is set to take centre stage in Die Bom, a new three-part documentary exploring the country’s secret nuclear weapons programme and its wider nuclear history.
The series traces South Africa’s involvement in nuclear development back to the 1940s, when uranium from the country became linked to the Allied effort that produced the first atomic bombs during World War II.
Decades later, South Africa secretly developed its own nuclear weapons programme despite international sanctions and a United Nations arms embargo.
Die Bom explores the people and events surrounding the programme, including the scientists and officials involved in building the weapons, espionage during the Cold War and efforts that contributed to international pressure against apartheid-era South Africa.
The documentary also examines the darker and more mysterious events surrounding South Africa’s nuclear industry, including an attack on the Koeberg nuclear power station in the 1980s.
Beyond the weapons programme, the series looks at South Africa’s nuclear power sector, nuclear waste and the future of nuclear energy. It also gives viewers access to one of the world’s oldest operating nuclear reactors.
Award-winning journalist Pieter Steyn directs the series, which is produced by Minette van der Walt of Van Woud Productions.
Van der Walt describes the project as an opportunity to explore a part of South African history that often sounds more like fiction than fact, while Steyn says new revelations continued to emerge during production.
Die Bom premieres on Wednesday, 23 September at 20:00 on kykNET, DStv Channel 144. Episodes will also be available on DStv Stream and Catch Up.
Main Image: Supplied
