Viva Nelson Mandela: A Hero for All Seasons (review)

"I hoped and vowed that among the treasures that life might offer me would be the opportunity to serve my people and make my own humble contribution to the freedom struggle." Thus begins this film, with the inspiring words of Nelson Mandela. This documentary, while not presenting a full-blown biography of this important political figure in South Africa, highlights the key political events of his life. The film demonstrates through the eyes of a filmmaker who is very sympathetic to, inspired by, and perhaps even enamored with the person and remarkable achievements of Mandela—the challenges and changes that he experienced as he lived his life as a political and charismatic leader for many of the people of South Africa. It is replete with many still-life photos and video footage of Mandela at various points in this life, as well as commentary via interviews with those close to him.

For those not familiar with the details of Mandela's life, this film does not provide much in the way of background and also has quite a few major time gaps in recounting his life. However, for those familiar with the man but without a deeper knowledge of his political achievements, it certainly offers a sense of his impact on South Africa, and by extension, the world, highlighting many of the major points of his charismatic leadership. His early political career and modus operandi was characterized by nonviolent resistance to the oppression of the apartheid government in South Africa and its attendant abuses towards its Black majority, but he eventually espoused violence as the only means to use against the white government, since that seemed to be the only language they understood. Mandela was eventually convicted of treason and jailed, along with some of the other leaders. This was the first of several prison terms, concluding with his being jailed for 27 years. During this time his name and reputation achieved mythic proportions. When he was finally released, his method for dealing with the oppression was one of peaceful negotiation with the South African regime. Along with the then-President of South Africa, F.W. De Klerk, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 for his efforts in dismantling apartheid. He eventually became President himself of South Africa, during which time he continued to preach a message of reconciliation. After resigning the Presidency, Mandala continued to actively work for the development and betterment of schools and medical resources for the people of South Africa.

For the student or lay audience, this film offers a compelling illustration of one aspect of the global struggle for racial equality and justice, as well as dovetailing with the civil rights movement in the United States. It recounts details of the discrimination faced by the disempowered, in terms of the "separate but equal" ideology that prevailed, as well as the widespread violence against citizens. The life of Nelson Mandela as depicted in this film, however, demonstrates that while discrimination and violence exist, the possibilities of overcoming these are real, as well. The film shows the power of one individual to bring about change, and provides a challenge to us to "go and do likewise."