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| Nelson Mandela film: is ANC about to throw away his legacy? | Nelson Mandela film: is ANC about to throw away his legacy? |
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| Tokyo Sexwale, an anti-apartheid veteran and recently sacked government minister, was playing to the gallery. He earned laughter with a decent impression of Nelson Mandela's famously inimitable voice. Noting the presence of British actor Naomie Harris, the cynosure of all cameras, the recently separated Sexwale quipped: "I came alone, you know." | Tokyo Sexwale, an anti-apartheid veteran and recently sacked government minister, was playing to the gallery. He earned laughter with a decent impression of Nelson Mandela's famously inimitable voice. Noting the presence of British actor Naomie Harris, the cynosure of all cameras, the recently separated Sexwale quipped: "I came alone, you know." |
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| The African National Congress (ANC) stalwart was in Johannesburg to introduce the director, producer and cast of Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, the long-awaited $35m film adaptation of Mandela's autobiography that premieres in South Africa on Sunday. Mandela's daughter, Zindzi, told how she found the movie "therapeutic". However, the man who plays Mandela, star of The Wire and Luther, Idris Elba, was missing due to a severe asthma attack for which he had had to be hospitalised. | The African National Congress (ANC) stalwart was in Johannesburg to introduce the director, producer and cast of Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, the long-awaited $35m film adaptation of Mandela's autobiography that premieres in South Africa on Sunday. Mandela's daughter, Zindzi, told how she found the movie "therapeutic". However, the man who plays Mandela, star of The Wire and Luther, Idris Elba, was missing due to a severe asthma attack for which he had had to be hospitalised. |
| Harris, who is the new Miss Moneypenny in the James Bond series, plays Mandela's wife Winnie, and got the seal of approval from "the mother of the nation", according to producer Anant Singh. "Mama Winnie was very moved by it," he said. "She turned to me as the movie ended and said, 'It's beautiful, don't change anything, I love it. Naomie is perfect as me. Naomie is African; she's got Africa in her'." | Harris, who is the new Miss Moneypenny in the James Bond series, plays Mandela's wife Winnie, and got the seal of approval from "the mother of the nation", according to producer Anant Singh. "Mama Winnie was very moved by it," he said. "She turned to me as the movie ended and said, 'It's beautiful, don't change anything, I love it. Naomie is perfect as me. Naomie is African; she's got Africa in her'." |
| Harris admitted that the prospect of capturing Winnie's accent was "terrifying". Asked for her impressions of post-apartheid South Africa, she commented: "Obviously, in 20 years the country has come an extraordinarily long way, but change is a slow thing. I don't think that Mandela, when he went into prison, ever expected that it would take 27 years before he came out and a further four years after coming out of prison before he actually became president and was able to properly dismantle apartheid. | Harris admitted that the prospect of capturing Winnie's accent was "terrifying". Asked for her impressions of post-apartheid South Africa, she commented: "Obviously, in 20 years the country has come an extraordinarily long way, but change is a slow thing. I don't think that Mandela, when he went into prison, ever expected that it would take 27 years before he came out and a further four years after coming out of prison before he actually became president and was able to properly dismantle apartheid. |
| "Change is slow and it takes generations, and I think there's been huge progress, but there's still a lot more progress to go, and I think most South Africans would agree with that." | "Change is slow and it takes generations, and I think there's been huge progress, but there's still a lot more progress to go, and I think most South Africans would agree with that." |
| The glossy biopic comes about six months before Mandela's beloved ANC faces the toughest election in its history, in effect, a referendum on its 20 years in government and whether it has fulfilled or squandered the legacy of South Africa's first black president. | The glossy biopic comes about six months before Mandela's beloved ANC faces the toughest election in its history, in effect, a referendum on its 20 years in government and whether it has fulfilled or squandered the legacy of South Africa's first black president. |
| During that period Africa's liberation movements have lost their shine and, in some cases, fought dirty to retain power. It took two decades for Robert Mugabe to face a serious challenge in neighbouring Zimbabwe.Some analysts predict that, while the party is still assured of victory, its parliamentary majority could dip below 60% for the first time. That could deepen internal factionalism before the 2019 election, where defeat may not be unthinkable. | During that period Africa's liberation movements have lost their shine and, in some cases, fought dirty to retain power. It took two decades for Robert Mugabe to face a serious challenge in neighbouring Zimbabwe.Some analysts predict that, while the party is still assured of victory, its parliamentary majority could dip below 60% for the first time. That could deepen internal factionalism before the 2019 election, where defeat may not be unthinkable. |
| But the ANC still holds the ultimate ace: Mandela. A man mythologised in his own lifetime, his command on South Africans' affections is impossible to compete with. | But the ANC still holds the ultimate ace: Mandela. A man mythologised in his own lifetime, his command on South Africans' affections is impossible to compete with. |
| Will the release of Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom burnish the legend still further and win votes for the ANC? | Will the release of Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom burnish the legend still further and win votes for the ANC? |
| "I hope so," chuckled Paul Mashatile, South Africa's arts and culture minister, predicting a 70% share. "It's a good story. I think it's really continuing to give people hope that it's a great organisation that came from great leaders. But sometimes voters tend to vote on the basis of the challenges that they have today." | "I hope so," chuckled Paul Mashatile, South Africa's arts and culture minister, predicting a 70% share. "It's a good story. I think it's really continuing to give people hope that it's a great organisation that came from great leaders. But sometimes voters tend to vote on the basis of the challenges that they have today." |
| Mashatile is overseeing next April's celebrations of the 20th anniversary of multiracial democracy, and recently announced a nine-metre statue of Mandela for the Union Buildings in Pretoria. But he denied that the ANC is trading on nostalgia. "We don't necessarily want to use that for elections. Nelson Mandela is bigger than everybody now. He's a treasure, he's the gift of the whole nation, and I think in this period in his life we want all South Africans to claim him." | Mashatile is overseeing next April's celebrations of the 20th anniversary of multiracial democracy, and recently announced a nine-metre statue of Mandela for the Union Buildings in Pretoria. But he denied that the ANC is trading on nostalgia. "We don't necessarily want to use that for elections. Nelson Mandela is bigger than everybody now. He's a treasure, he's the gift of the whole nation, and I think in this period in his life we want all South Africans to claim him." |
| The ANC knows it must play its ace carefully or face accusations of exploitation. It was criticised for parading a frail Mandela at its pre-election rally in 2009 and for organising a photo-opportunity at the ailing statesman's home this year. With Mandela now 95 and in a critical condition, the great unknown about the election is the impact of the emotional earthquake that his death would cause. | The ANC knows it must play its ace carefully or face accusations of exploitation. It was criticised for parading a frail Mandela at its pre-election rally in 2009 and for organising a photo-opportunity at the ailing statesman's home this year. With Mandela now 95 and in a critical condition, the great unknown about the election is the impact of the emotional earthquake that his death would cause. |
| Some believe the sentiment and pageantry around his loss would rally sympathy for the party to which he is so devoted that he once joked he would seek out a branch in heaven. Justice Malala, a political commentator and columnist, said: "Without being distasteful, if Nelson Mandela was to die now, it would be a massive boost for the ANC." | Some believe the sentiment and pageantry around his loss would rally sympathy for the party to which he is so devoted that he once joked he would seek out a branch in heaven. Justice Malala, a political commentator and columnist, said: "Without being distasteful, if Nelson Mandela was to die now, it would be a massive boost for the ANC." |
| But it is also possible that reflections on Mandela's singular achievements could prompt unflattering comparisons with the current president, Jacob Zuma. His first term in office has been plagued by disasters, such as the police massacre of 34 striking mineworkers in Marikana, and scandals including the projected spending of 270m rand (£16.63m) on upgrades to his rural home. He also failed to fulfil an ambitious job creation programme, to curb street protests and to revive the economy. | But it is also possible that reflections on Mandela's singular achievements could prompt unflattering comparisons with the current president, Jacob Zuma. His first term in office has been plagued by disasters, such as the police massacre of 34 striking mineworkers in Marikana, and scandals including the projected spending of 270m rand (£16.63m) on upgrades to his rural home. He also failed to fulfil an ambitious job creation programme, to curb street protests and to revive the economy. |
| "He's a huge liability," Malala said. "Zuma is the reason the ANC will suffer a big reversal of fortune and a reduced majority, probably to below 60%. The middle class will continue to revolt against Zuma. The big issue is whether they will go out and vote." | "He's a huge liability," Malala said. "Zuma is the reason the ANC will suffer a big reversal of fortune and a reduced majority, probably to below 60%. The middle class will continue to revolt against Zuma. The big issue is whether they will go out and vote." |
| The ANC faces an unprecedented challenge from both right and leftof the political spectrum. The Democratic Alliance is striving to cloak itself in the colours of the liberation struggle and even claiming to be Nelson Mandela's true heir, while the Agang SA is led by the formidable Mamphela Ramphele, an anti-apartheid activist and the ex-girlfriend of Steve Biko, with whom she founded the black consciousness movement. | The ANC faces an unprecedented challenge from both right and leftof the political spectrum. The Democratic Alliance is striving to cloak itself in the colours of the liberation struggle and even claiming to be Nelson Mandela's true heir, while the Agang SA is led by the formidable Mamphela Ramphele, an anti-apartheid activist and the ex-girlfriend of Steve Biko, with whom she founded the black consciousness movement. |
| But perhaps the most intriguing new threat is the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), led by Julius Malema, a former president of the ANC youth wing who campaigned for Zuma at the last election but has become his nemesis. EFF, which launched in Marikana among a sea of red berets, aims to seize the socialist revolutionary ground that the ANC occupied during the struggle, accusing the ruling party of being co-opted by white capitalist interests and failing to redress profound inequalities. Some say Malema gives a good cause a bad name. His gift for populistrhetoric that fires up the discontented masses has even earned comparisons with Hitler. But Malala said: "Malema is scratching at the scab of the new South Africa. Whatever he might say and whatever a joke he might be, when you see the demographics there's something there." | But perhaps the most intriguing new threat is the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), led by Julius Malema, a former president of the ANC youth wing who campaigned for Zuma at the last election but has become his nemesis. EFF, which launched in Marikana among a sea of red berets, aims to seize the socialist revolutionary ground that the ANC occupied during the struggle, accusing the ruling party of being co-opted by white capitalist interests and failing to redress profound inequalities. Some say Malema gives a good cause a bad name. His gift for populistrhetoric that fires up the discontented masses has even earned comparisons with Hitler. But Malala said: "Malema is scratching at the scab of the new South Africa. Whatever he might say and whatever a joke he might be, when you see the demographics there's something there." |
| Among Malema's most prominent allies is Andile Mngxitama, an admirer of Biko and now the EFF's international relations "commissar", who said: "The ANC has reached the limit of what it can imagine and what it can do. Twenty years of devastation are the most eloquent argument against the ANC. You can't spin your way out of 20 years. | Among Malema's most prominent allies is Andile Mngxitama, an admirer of Biko and now the EFF's international relations "commissar", who said: "The ANC has reached the limit of what it can imagine and what it can do. Twenty years of devastation are the most eloquent argument against the ANC. You can't spin your way out of 20 years. |
| "The ANC is no longer the party of liberation that is going to do something for you. They will try to use history, but we will point to that koppie in Marikana where a democratic government shot dead its own people." | "The ANC is no longer the party of liberation that is going to do something for you. They will try to use history, but we will point to that koppie in Marikana where a democratic government shot dead its own people." |
| Citing a 1994 speech in which Mandela said, "If the ANC does to you what the government of the National party did to you, you must do to the ANC what you did to the government of the National party," Mngxitama added: "That language finds more resonance today. Nelson Mandela at his best does not speak for the ANC of today." | Citing a 1994 speech in which Mandela said, "If the ANC does to you what the government of the National party did to you, you must do to the ANC what you did to the government of the National party," Mngxitama added: "That language finds more resonance today. Nelson Mandela at his best does not speak for the ANC of today." |
| As for the potential impact of Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, Mngxitama said dryly:: "In South Africa we are not persuaded by films. This is not America. It could backfire: it's becoming very difficult to associate the image of Nelson Mandela with the contemporary ANC." | As for the potential impact of Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, Mngxitama said dryly:: "In South Africa we are not persuaded by films. This is not America. It could backfire: it's becoming very difficult to associate the image of Nelson Mandela with the contemporary ANC." |
| This will be the first election in which South Africans born after 1994 – the "born-free generation" – will be eligible to vote. They have no memory of apartheid, nor Mandela's imprisonment, and therefore lack the emotional ties of their parents. But it remains to be seen how many will register to vote or whether apathy will prevail. | This will be the first election in which South Africans born after 1994 – the "born-free generation" – will be eligible to vote. They have no memory of apartheid, nor Mandela's imprisonment, and therefore lack the emotional ties of their parents. But it remains to be seen how many will register to vote or whether apathy will prevail. |
| Nor should the ANC's well-oiled electoral machine be underestimated. Threatened by a breakaway party, Cope, at the last election in 2009,the ANC healed its internal divisions with iron discipline and fell just short of a two-thirds majority. It still has all the advantages of incumbency, including money. While Zuma is much mocked by tweeting urbanites, his routine of singing, dancing and speechmaking in his first language, Zulu, appeals to the crowds in rural areas. | Nor should the ANC's well-oiled electoral machine be underestimated. Threatened by a breakaway party, Cope, at the last election in 2009,the ANC healed its internal divisions with iron discipline and fell just short of a two-thirds majority. It still has all the advantages of incumbency, including money. While Zuma is much mocked by tweeting urbanites, his routine of singing, dancing and speechmaking in his first language, Zulu, appeals to the crowds in rural areas. |
| And the ANC does have a positive story to tell about three million houses supplied, more citizens connected to electricity, a growing black middle class and a reduction in absolute poverty. It has shown compassion in providing 16 million social grants to the poor and earned international acclaim for turning around the fight against HIV/Aids. | And the ANC does have a positive story to tell about three million houses supplied, more citizens connected to electricity, a growing black middle class and a reduction in absolute poverty. It has shown compassion in providing 16 million social grants to the poor and earned international acclaim for turning around the fight against HIV/Aids. |
| Nevertheless, perception is key and more and more South Africans view the ANC's glass as half-empty: a jaded organisation tarnished by corruption, delivering too little too slowly and in inexorable decline. And just as Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom risks turning the collective history of the anti-apartheid struggle into a one man show,so the ANC's current travails run deeper than the idiosyncrasies of its present leader. | Nevertheless, perception is key and more and more South Africans view the ANC's glass as half-empty: a jaded organisation tarnished by corruption, delivering too little too slowly and in inexorable decline. And just as Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom risks turning the collective history of the anti-apartheid struggle into a one man show,so the ANC's current travails run deeper than the idiosyncrasies of its present leader. |
| Moeletsi Mbeki,a political economist and brother of Mandela's successor, Thabo Mbeki, said: "We don't vote for Jacob Zuma. We vote for the party. This election is really about the credibility of what the party has done over 20 years. South Africa is in a stagnating situation. We are sitting with a third of the adult population unemployed and there is no sign that is going to change. The ANC has run out of steam in terms of moving the country beyond where it is now." | Moeletsi Mbeki,a political economist and brother of Mandela's successor, Thabo Mbeki, said: "We don't vote for Jacob Zuma. We vote for the party. This election is really about the credibility of what the party has done over 20 years. South Africa is in a stagnating situation. We are sitting with a third of the adult population unemployed and there is no sign that is going to change. The ANC has run out of steam in terms of moving the country beyond where it is now." |
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