In 2009 Umkhungo was selected from hundreds of entries as one of 5 winning screenplays by Focus Features, as part of their Africa First Program.

The US based Focus Features are an internationally acclaimed production house, responsible for such films as Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind, Lost in Translation, Brokeback mountain, 9 and Eastern Promises.

Umkhungo received production funding from The National Film and Video Foundation of South Africa and The Gauteng Film Commission.