Cinematic Birthday Gift to Perpetuate Mandela’s History

The morning after the Birthday of South Africa’s most famous living citizen can be a little depressing. Yesterday, we were reminded of the selfless actions of a certain Mr Mandela who, at 94, is still able to fill us with a unique sense of pride and achievement. Today just seems like a Thursday. This said, the legacy of Mandela cannot simply be confined to one day and demands to be recognised, remembered and employed as a model for modern day South Africa.

Producer Anant Singh and his company Videovision Entertainment have announced their latest project with regards the commemoration of Madiba: a movie based on his autobiography, Long Walk To Freedom. In the spirit of Mandela Day (July 18), the production team decided to donate several of the movie’s sets to The Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory. These will be housed at the Nelson Mandela Museum in Qunu and in other associated heritage facilities.

The realistic sets include Madiba’s Robben Island prison cell, the prison’s visitor’s centre and the courtroom of the Palace of Justice. Their presence will give Mandela’s stories a physical context, allowing those who see them to be transported through time and experience the places that have great significance in Madiba’s history.

With a story as fascinating and powerful as Long Walk To Freedom, the presence of the movie’s sets in these heritage spaces will help to bring Mandela’s history to life for generations to come.