Leon Schuster has made more movies than most South Africans can even remember. While the style has changed over the years and some have been worse than others, the comedian had taken a look back at some of his blackface past and what it means today.

Leon Schuster talks “racist” blackface

In an interview with the Sunday Times, Schuster discussed his upcoming movie Frank & Fearless, making fun of racial stereotypes and his absolute desire to make Mama Jack 2.

While Mama Jack is one of his favourite movies, the issue of society’s reaction to blackface is a big factor.

“I’m so sorry that I can’t make Mama Jack 2. If I had a dream come true, my next movie would be Mama Jack 2. But especially on Twitter they said stay away from the blackface, it’s not on. It was black people talking to me and you’ve got to listen. I can’t do it because I’ll be heavily criticised. In the olden days it troubled nobody.” “But I won’t go blackface now, I can’t do it. There’s not one actor in the world that will. It’s just racist.”

While blackface is off the table, Schuster says that humour focussing on cape coloured people is still enjoyable for all.

Read – The laugh king: Five fast facts about funnyman Alfred Ntombela

Apparently, it all comes down to their fantastic sense of humour. Schuster openly “loves the coloureds”

“Cape coloureds have got a very, very good sense of humour.” “The way they speak, the way they sing. They’ve just got a fantastic sense of humour. I’ve never had a coloured guy who turned around and said: ‘You’re not going to use me.’ I used them for their colourful language. That’s the reason. They speak an Afrikaans which is soos ‘n engel wat op my oor piepie [like an angel peeing on my ear]. I love the coloureds.”

Will you be catching Mr Schucks’ new film later in the year?