Film Lens
Dear Mandela is a 2012 documentary that follows three friends who are members of the shackdwellers movement Abahlali baseMjondolo in South Africa. They confront the KwaZulu-Natal Elimination and Prevention of Re-emergence of Slums Act of 2007 through a legal challenge that escalates to the Constitutional Court. Their successful challenge leads to violent repercussions, including an attack on the Kennedy Road informal settlement in 2009, during which the filmmakers were also caught up in the violence.
The film addresses the ongoing impact of Nelson Mandela's promise to house all citizens, despite his stepping down as President long before the events depicted. Written, produced, and directed by Dara Kell and Christopher Nizza, Dear Mandela premiered at the 2012 Brooklyn International Film Festival, showcasing the struggles of those living in informal settlements in South Africa.
Why Watch
- •Follow the fight against the 2007 Slums Act.
- •See the aftermath of the 2009 Kennedy Road attack.
- •Meet the members of Abahlali baseMjondolo.
Did You Know
•The KwaZulu-Natal Elimination and Prevention of Re-emergence of Slums Act was enacted in 2007.
•The violent attack on the Kennedy Road informal settlement occurred in 2009.
•Dear Mandela won the Grand Chameleon Award for Best Film at the Brooklyn Film Festival.
•The film was nominated for an Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Documentary in 2012.
Perfect For
Social justice advocatesSouth African history buffsDocumentary enthusiasts