Especially made for the museum's grand opening on 1 December 2005, the film will not be broadcast anywhere in the world, making it a unique and important historical piece.
Belva Davis, president of the MoAD board of directors and multi-award wining journalist and labour activist commissioned the project for a special exhibition featuring Nelson Mandela, American civil rights activist Dr Howard Thurman and Francois Dominique Toussaint, leader of the Haitian slave revolt in 1791.
The documentary was directed by Shmerah Passchier and produced by Wendy Sherrin for Welcome Msomi Gateway, with stills photography by Josie Borain. Director of Photography was Justin Fouche and the final cut was edited by Tongai Furusa, based on research by Ruth Miller, Post production was facilitated by G Vision and The Video Lab.
"This was a very important project for the highest profile South African there has ever been," remarked Welcome Msomi, "We were determined to make sure we had the right people involved, the right material, and that we delivered the best possible result to the museum. I believe we have achieved this."
Managing director Erik De Jager said, "We wanted to make a unique piece that told Madiba's story, but by giving a complete picture of the South Africa of the period ... we created a lot of our own footage ... we used the stories, songs, music and archive footage of the times to add to the unique interviews that we were privileged to be shooting."
Voice over for the piece was provided by Nkosinathi Biko, eldest son of the late Steve Biko; Ladysmith Black Mambaso and poets Modise Phepkonyane and Mbongeni Ngema delivered live performances especially for the film, which includes exclusive interviews with Justice Albie Sachs, Advocate George Bizos, Former President FW De Klerk, Mandela's former cellmate Ahmed Kathrada, playwright Mbongeni Ngema and Zindzi Mandela.
