Precious survivor of apartheid era for feature film

The diminutive (1.47m) and engaging Precious, once South Africa's best weightlifter and kilo for kilo possibly the strongest man on earth, fled to England in the mid 60's when the apartheid regime would not let him compete internationally. Precious, who turns 72 next month, went on to become the first man in history to win four consecutive Commonwealth Games gold medals - three for England and, finally, one for New Zealand, his adopted homeland.

Precious McKenzie first came to the public's attention when, because of his skin colour, he was overlooked for a place on the South African team for the 1958 Empire Games and again for the 1960 Rome Olympics despite clearly being the best lifter, black or white, in his division. When he was finally selected for international competition, he boldly and controversially refused to join the team when he learned he could not travel with the team and could not wear the full Springbok colours.

A triumph of the human spirit

Since fleeing his beloved homeland, Precious, who is part Zulu, has triumphed on the world stage in his chosen sport, visited more countries than he can remember, mixed with royalty, raised a family with his South African-born wife and received an MBE from Queen Elizabeth II.

Not content to rest on his laurels, he continued competing until he hit 70 and still holds the World Masters powerlifting title. His legendary powerlifting feats have earned him a place in the World Powerlifting Hall of Fame in America.

However, the triumph he treasures most occurred on December 5, 2006, when he was formally inducted into the South African Sports Hall of Fame.

"Man, for my achievements to be recognised by my homeland was a dream come true,” Precious says. "Finally, I have got recognition from my own people."

These days, Precious is as well known for his cheek and quick wit as he is for his sporting exploits. Of his South African Sports Hall of Fame achievement, he says, "You're always remembered when you're dead. I'm just lucky people are remembering me now, while I'm alive."

Ali oops… in the air

He was often referred to as a Pocket Hercules, and those who know Precious have likened him to a miniature Muhammad Ali. The two sporting greats met at a charity event in London in 1974 - the same year Precious received his MBE and Ali won his 'Rumble in the Jungle' bout in Africa. Ali immediately found a kindred spirit in Precious and the pair engaged in some good-natured banter throughout the evening.

Having heard Precious was listed in the Guinness Book of Records for his incredible strength, Ali wagered there was no way the little man could lift him. Without missing a beat, Precious hoisted Ali into the air on his shoulders. A press photographer captured the moment. Before the evening was over, Ali quietly conceded to the guests that he'd finally met his match.

The people behind Precious believe they have a powerful film in the making. Lance and James Morcan, the New Zealand father-and-son writing team who wrote the screenplay, recently formed their own production company to fast track the project to the big screen. Operating as Morcan Motion Pictures Ltd., they are bringing together all the necessary elements and aim to start shooting on location by early November.

The Morcans are in dialogue with prospective film financiers and distributors in the US, UK and South Africa, and one of their representatives promoted the project at the Cannes Film Festival just ended.

Transcending borders

Sydney-based James Morcan says he and Lance have been staggered by the worldwide interest being shown in Precious.

"Right now we are dealing with film industry figures on four continents," he says. "The story's universal themes transcend borders and seem to speak to peoples everywhere."

Morcan attributes this to Precious McKenzie's incredible life story and the fact that people love stories about an underdog.

"Here was a dirt poor coloured guy, orphaned at a young age, abused by foster parents, with no formal education and with the authorities repressing his every move. Nobody expected he'd achieve anything in this world.

"Like Nelson Mandela's, Precious' story ranks right up there beside history's greatest examples of the human spirit triumphing over immense hardship,” Morcan continues. "It's a reflection of his indomitable spirit that no matter how bad things got, be it extreme poverty, violence, racial hatred, Precious remained unbreakable.

New Zealand-based Lance Morcan believes Precious the potential to be a mainstream crowd-pleaser in the vein of Pursuit of Happyness, Men of Honor and other successful films which dramatise an individual's triumph over adversity.

"It's a story that must be told," says Lance. "Our target market for Precious is a mainstream worldwide audience - young and old, males and females, all nationalities and races."

The producers hope to announce the attachment of an A-list Hollywood director soon and several well-known actors have expressed interest in playing the lead role; Will Smith's wife Jada Pinkett Smith (Ali, Collateral) and Sir Anthony Hopkins will shortly be approached regarding supporting roles.

Shooting locations for Precious include Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban and Pietermaritzburg.