Nelson Mandela

Programme Outline

Nelson Mandela is one of the greatest living heroes in the world today. There is little scope for exploring the villainous side of Mandela, but there is an important issue in terms of his decision to resort to armed force and the costs of that decision, when balanced against the potential costs of continuing peaceful struggle.

Introduction

0.00 - 1.15

The programme opens with footage of Mandela being sworn in as President of South Africa in 1994. It summarises Mandela’s unique ability to appeal as a hero to both Black and White populations of South Africa.

The Beginning

1.15 - 6.40

This section of the programme provides a brief history of South Africa, as well as Nelson Mandela’s story and that of the ANC. It describes his upbringing and how he was driven by seeing squalor and injustice to join the ANC. The programme describes his setting up of the ANC Youth movement in 1944 and the introduction of apartheid by the National Party in 1948. We see Mandela’s role in leading protests against the new regime and the government’s vicious response to these protests.

The Turning-Point

6.40 - 11.55

Even in the mid-1950s the question appears to have been forming in Mandela’s mind as to whether apartheid could be abolished by peaceful action. This issue appears to have been resolved by the Sharpeville Massacre of 1960. The programme shows footage of Mandela’s tentative announcement of his belief that armed action might be justified. The rest of the section describes the initiation of the campaign of armed force, Mandela's tour of Africa to raise money for the ANC and his subsequent capture. Special attention is given to Mandela’s performance at this trial. His declaration of his willingness to die in the cause of opposing apartheid could be seen as being as much of a turning-point as the Sharpeville Massacre.

From Prisoner to President

11.55 - end

This section of the programme covers Mandela’s time in prison on Robben Island and the impact of that sojourn on South African politics. Mandela was clearly an inspiration to his fellow prisoners on Robben Island. He was arguably even more of an inspiration to a generation of black South Africans outside. The armed struggle carried on in his name, with notable landmarks such as the Soweto riots in the 1970s. The programme also covers the growing pressure on South Africa in terms of international trade sanctions and condemnation from the UNO.

The programme dwells on the late 1980s and early 1990s, including the negotiations between Mandela and the South African government about the conditions of his release. It also covers the end of apartheid and the first free elections in South Africa which brought Mandela the Presidency. The final minutes of the programme address the continuing challenges facing South Africa in the years to come.