Dear Mandela

Dear Mandela
Dear Mandela
Directed by	Dara Kell & Christopher Nizza
Written by	Dara Kell & Christopher Nizza
Produced by	Dara Kell & Christopher Nizza
Starring	Mnikelo Ndabankulu, Zama Ndlovu, Mazwi Nzimande, S'bu Zikode
Release date	June 2012 (Brooklyn);
Running time	94 minutes
Countries	South Africa; United States
Languages	Zulu, Xhosa, English

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]

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

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