Nelson Mandela: The Myth and Me
AfricAvenir presents the Namibian premiere of the documentary “Nelson Mandela: The Myth and me”, directed by Khalo Matabane, 2013 The screening is supported by Africiné Critics and the FNB Foundation. Chairperson of the FNB Foundation, Jane Katjavivi, will hand a cheque to AfricAvenir in support of the film series “African Perspectives”.
Matabane reflects on the promises, the achievements, hopes and trashed dreams mirrored in the daily realities of South Africa.
The film features Wole Soyinka, Nuruddin Farah, Ronnie Kasrils, Dalai Lama, Colin Powell, Joachim Gauck, Albie Sachs, Henry A. Kissinger and many more.
Nelson Mandela’s message of freedom, forgiveness and reconciliation still inspires people worldwide. Almost 20 years ago, in 1994, he became the first president of a democratic South Africa – a historical step, the end of Apartheid. Alike many other young South Africans, director Khalo Matabane considered Nelson Mandela his childhood hero. Strong and determined to fight the enemy, that is how Matabane imagined him. At that time, Mandela was still imprisoned. Once he was released and became a respected political actor, Matabane was surprised and maybe a little disappointed by Mandela’s attitude.
Where was the anger? Instead of revenge, Mandela asks forgiveness – even for the perpetrators of the apartheid regime. In a personal letter to Nelson Mandela, Khalo Matabane confronts his childhood hero with some important questions, which he has been asking himself for many years.
To Khalo Matabane, today’s South Africa can be described as a time bomb, ready to explode any minute. He wrote: “Tata Mandela, we are one of the most unequal societies in the world, people are impatient, they can’t wait any longer. Our people feel that change is slow and the system favours the powerful and the wealthy.
There are protests everywhere, people demand change everywhere, and people demand freedom, real freedom everywhere.
The film features Wole Soyinka, Nigerian Writer; Nuruddin Farah, Somalian Writer; Ronnie Kasrils, Minister of Intelligence Services (2004-2008); the Dalai Lama, Retired Tibetan Political Leader in Exile; Colin Powell, Former United States Secretary of State, 2001-2005; Joachim Gauck, President of Germany; Albie Sachs, Former Constitutional Court Judge, 1994 – 2009; Dr Henry A. Kissinger, Former US Secretary Of State & Security advisor, 1973 – 1977; Greg Marinovich, South African photojournalist; Zubeida Jaffer, journalist and anti-Apartheid activist; Binyavanga Wainaina, Kenian journalist and writer; Elia Suleiman, Palestine filmmaker; Prof Pumla Gqola, Professor in African Literature; Peter Hain, Former UK cabinet minister; Selina Williams, sister of an Apartheid victim; John Carlin, British journalist and writer; Prof Adam Habib, Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Witswatersrand; Patrick Chamoiseau, French writer; Nkwame Cedile, an activist; Prof Ariel Dorfman, Chilean writer and activist; Tariq Ali, British-Pakistani journalist and writer; and Charity Kondile, the mother of an Apartheid victim.
When: Saturday 29 August, 19:00
Where: Goethe Centre, Fidel Castro Ave, Windhoek
Entry: N$30
The trailer can be viewed at https://vimeo.com/81181678
Awards: Special Jury Award IDFA 2013
