The successful debut of Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom at the Toronto Film Festival in September, was recently acknowledged in a motion in the National Assembly by the Deputy Chief Whip of the Majority Party, Ms Dorris Dlakude which was agreed to by all parties.
Quoted in the Minutes of Proceedings of the National Assembly on 12 September, Ms Dlakude succinctly captured what the film means to South Africa in her motion that the House:
· “Believes that the production of this film will remind us, as we celebrate the life of our international icon, to also contribute towards social cohesion, reconciliation and nation building;
· Acknowledges that through this film, we need to draw inspiration from uTata Madiba to continue to build an inclusive society as the best way to honour his legacy; and
· Calls upon all South Africans to watch the film, as soon as it is released in South Africa in November as a means to pay tribute to former President Nelson Rholihlahla Mandela.”
On learning of the acknowledgement, producer Anant Singh said, “We are honoured with the recognition of the film by the National Assembly. It is gratifying to note that we have made a film that will impact positively on all South Africans and we are pleased that a call has been made to the nation to watch the film as a tribute to Madiba.”
Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom will be released in South Africa on 28 November 2013 through United International Pictures.