Dear Mandela is a 2012 South-African/American documentary focusing on three friends who are members of the shackdwellers movement Abahlali baseMjondolo. They fight eviction by making a legal challenge against the KwaZulu-Natal Elimination and Prevention of Re-emergence of Slums Act of 2007 which ends up going to the final court of appeal, the Constitutional Court. The challenge is successful but swiftly results in a violent attack on the Kennedy Road informal settlement in 2009. The film-makers were themselves caught up in the attack.[1]

Dear Mandela
Directed byDara Kell & Christopher Nizza
Written byDara Kell & Christopher Nizza
Produced byDara Kell & Christopher Nizza
StarringMnikelo Ndabankulu, Zama Ndlovu, Mazwi Nzimande, S'bu Zikode
Release date
  • June 2012 (2012-06) (Brooklyn)
Running time
94 minutes
CountriesSouth Africa
United States
LanguagesZulu, Xhosa, English

With the events of the film happening long after Nelson Mandela stepped down as President of South Africa, his promise to house all citizens is still a central question.[2][3][4]

The film was written, produced and directed by Dara Kell and Christopher Nizza.[1] It premiered at the 2012 Brooklyn International Film Festival.[5]

Awards

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d Sinkings, Estelle (25 April 2012). "Homing in on the problem". Retrieved 18 May 2019.
  2. ^ Scheib, Ronnie (19 September 2012). "Dear Mandela". Variety. Retrieved 18 May 2019.
  3. ^ "Dear Mandela". slantmagazine.com. 20 September 2012. Retrieved 27 December 2014.
  4. ^ "Film: 'Dear Mandela' [Full PBS Stream]". okayafrica. 4 February 2013. Retrieved 18 May 2019.
  5. ^ ""Dear Mandela," "Brooklyn Castle" triumph at Brooklyn Film Festival". Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  6. ^ "DEAR MANDELA". brooklynfilmfestival.org. Retrieved 27 December 2014.
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