In the wake of Nelson Mandela's passing, the documentary 'Free Nelson Mandela' serves as a poignant reminder of the man's enduring legacy and the complex journey that led to his sainthood. This three-part series, directed by James Rogan, offers a gripping and revelatory account of Mandela's life, pulling no punches in depicting the grim realities of his struggle against apartheid. It's a story that goes beyond the pages of history books, delving into the personal costs and the intricate dynamics of resistance.
What makes this documentary particularly compelling is its ability to evoke the grim reality faced by Mandela and his allies. It paints a vivid picture of a world where white South Africans dismissed Black compatriots as 'just coming down from the trees', and where British young Conservatives displayed 'Hang Nelson Mandela' posters. The series doesn't shy away from the physical violence, emotional torment, and economic unfairness that defined this era. It's a stark reminder of the harsh conditions Mandela and his fellow ANC leaders endured during their decades-long struggle.
One of the most fascinating aspects of the documentary is its exploration of the personal cost of Mandela's resistance. His mother and son died in consecutive years, and he mourned them remotely. His wife, Winnie Mandela, is portrayed as a complex figure, and the series wisely refrains from judgment. Her radicalism, which eventually clashed with Mandela's gentle pragmatism, is seen as a justified response to the physical and mental torment she endured at the hands of the South African authorities. This personal narrative adds a layer of depth to the broader struggle, highlighting the human cost of resistance.
The documentary also delves into the philosophy of Ubuntu, an African concept rooted in various tribes, which translates as 'I am because you are'. It's an anathema to apartheid and expresses intertwined humanity. However, as violence escalated in the 1980s, it became incompatible with the wilder fringes of the anti-apartheid movement. This raises a deeper question about the compatibility of different ideologies within a unified resistance movement.
The series also explores the diasporic face of the resistance, with musicians like Miriam Makeba and Hugh Masekela spreading the word abroad, and activists like Peter Hain engaging in protests in Britain. Inside South Africa, ANC fighters like James Mange were at the sharp end, and their experiences on Robben Island, where Mandela was imprisoned, became a framing device for the narrative. As Dali Tambo, the son of former ANC leader Oliver Tambo, notes, Mandela became 'more than himself'.
The documentary also highlights the role of the international community in the demise of apartheid. The prominence given to artists involved in the huge concerts that demanded and celebrated Mandela's release is a reminder of the white savior syndrome that sometimes accompanies such narratives. However, it's hard to dispute that mainstream British and American engagement with the resistance was a significant driver in apartheid's demise. The performance of 'Free Nelson Mandela' by the Specials at the 1986 Festival for Freedom is described by writer Jerry Dammers as 'the proudest moment of my life', underscoring the impact of music and activism.
The documentary also touches on the BBC's decision to screen Mandela's 70th birthday concert in 1988, despite legal threats from Conservative MPs. This raises questions about the BBC's apparent unwillingness to interrogate hard right, anti-immigrant tropes. As Neil Kinnock notes, 'In the Commonwealth, South Africa's only friend and defender was Margaret Thatcher'.
In conclusion, 'Free Nelson Mandela' is a nuanced exploration of activism as a life's work, a road without end. It suggests that Mandela's impending sainthood was a product of his years of resistance, which sharpened and tempered him. By the time of his death, he had come to represent light, but that was because he had spent so much time in the darkness. This documentary serves as a powerful reminder of the man's enduring legacy and the complex journey that led to his sainthood.
