Nelson Mandela: Resistance

The documentary Nelson Mandela: Resistance was written and directed by NJ Silva and researched by
Tay Bailey in 2013

This documentary was about Nelson Mandela (1918- 2013) a hero for freedom and equality whom is
celebrated not only as a black leader but as a humanitarian and a symbol of freedom. In Mandela own
words, “I have fought against white domination, I have fought against black domination, I have
cherished the ideal of a democratic and free nation in which all persons live together in harmony with
equal opportunities.” This was a idea for which he was prepared to die for. Nelson Mandela legacy was
built on struggles and suffering, nonetheless, it was a legacy of hope, kindness and reconciliation.

Nelson Mandela was born in the village of Mvezo, Eastern Cape, South Africa. He was expelled from
college for participating in school protest which lead him to Johannesburg looking for employment. This
was where he saw capitalism in action.

In 1948 South Africa was under an oppressive regime and apartheid legislation had been approved and
racial segregation expanded. Mandela became political and became a part of the African National
Congress and demanded his people into action. This threatened the white oppressors who ruled with
increase violence and would stop at nothing to shut down this movement and arrested and sentenced
Mr. Mandela to life in prison for ordering defiant actions.

This documentary is in accordance with the biography of Nelson Mandela sanctioned by the Nelson
Mandela Foundation.

The interviews with Mandela’s daughter and grandson were so personal. It showed us the human side
of Mr Mandela, his shortcomings, his fears, yet still the viewer is intrigued as he watches in awe of how
a person can be human yet carry the weight of the world on his shoulder so gracefully without
bitterness. As is often said a picture is worth a thousand words , the live footages of South Africa shown
in this documentary surely caught the true essence of what it was like to live in South Africa in this time
period. Mr. Mandela not only changed South Africa but changed the world.