Mrs Mandela BBC 4 - British drama of Winnie Mandela's life

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Mrs Mandela - New drama for BBC4 tackles the controversial character of Winnie Mandela

Screening on BB4 at 9pm, 25 January 2010, Mrs Mandela is a dramatisation of Winnie Mandela’s rise through the ranks of the African National Congress (ANC), her fight for the release of her husband from his 27 year imprisonment, her own time in prison and her eventual divorce from Nelson Mandela in 1996.

The lead role will be played by Sophie Okonedo (The Secret Life of Bees) who was nominated for an Oscar for her supporting role in Hotel Rwanda.

Other big issues that will come under scrutiny in the drama are the accusations of kidnapping, murder and other human rights violations that have been laid at Winnie Mandela’s feet. With her ties to the torture and murder of 14 year-old James Seipei (AKA Stompie Moeketsi) in 1989 (her bodyguard was convicted of the crime) and her veiled calls to violence during the battle with apartheid, it will be interesting to see how the BBC drama deals with these elements of her life.

Filmed in and around Soweto, the film also stars David Harewood (Blood Diamond) as Nelson Mandela and David Morrissey (Captain Corelli’s Mandolin) will play Theunis Swanepoel, the notorious security officer that interrogated Winnie during her imprisonment.

As well as the initial screening, Mrs Mandela will also air on BB2 during the same week and will undoubtably be featured on iPlayer.

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