The Story of “1960” begins in present day Sharpeville, near Johannesburg. During a routine excavation, a bulldozer inadvertently uncovers the skeleton of a white apartheid-era policeman, Constable Kobus Bernard, who has been missing since 1960.
Detective Warrant Officer Kuda Maseko is assigned to head up an inquiry into this find.
An elderly woman, Lindi Hlongwane, sees the report on the news. It is revealed that she was a famous singer in her day, but has since eschewed the spotlight, drifted into obscurity and has not been heard from in ages. She is deeply affected by the news of the discovery of Bernard’s remains, and immediately goes to see Det. Maseko. She says she would like to tell him what she knows about Const. Bernard and the circumstances surrounding his disappearance in 1960.
What follows is an interview between Maseko and Lindi during which Lindi reveals her past through regular flashbacks to 1960:
We meet young Lindi who is determined to become a singer. She gets a chance to sing at the local tavern in Sharpeville and amazes everyone with her talent. This leads to her taking part in a singing competition to decide the Tavern’s next resident singer.
Lindi’s first encounter with the aggressive and cruel Const. Bernard happens when he harasses the Tavern owner, and then threatens her. Later, Lindi’s father, Harry, reveals that Bernard was responsible for Lindi’s mother’s death, years before.
Thomas, Lindi’s brother, becomes politically active and is involved in the planning of the 1960 pass demonstration, which led to the Sharpeville massacre. He is killed in the massacre, while Lindi, unaware of the massacre, is practicing for the singing competition.
Finally, on the day of the singing competition, Bernard visits Harry, harasses him and then threatens Lindi. Lindi Sr. tells Maseko that this is last time anyone saw Bernard. Later that night, Lindi wins the competition, is noticed by a talent scout, which eventually leads to her successful singing career.Back in present day, Maseko is shocked and moved to hear of the suffering that Lindi and her family endured at the hands of Bernard and the deep wounds caused by the death of her brother during the Sharpeville massacre. Maseko thanks Lindi Sr for coming forward and for the information she was able to give him about Bernard.
