Have You Heard From Johannesburg?
Story Six
Nelson Mandela: Free At Last
[1979 - 1990]
In the final story we switch perspectives, taking viewers into the heart of the conflict as our South African characters tell the story of the most important effort in the anti-apartheid campaign -- the mass movement inside South Africa where three generations of resistance fighters band together as The United Democratic Front (UDF). The government is in a permanent crisis as it tries to convince the world of the merit of its piecemeal reforms and to win allies internally. The regime struggles to suppress open revolt, at times using savage secret tactics. The protest climaxes in a fierce campaign of defiance reminiscent of the famous campaign of the 1950’s. Internationally, Nelson Mandela becomes a household name as the campaign to free him ignites a worldwide crusade. Caught between an unstoppable internal mass movement and international campaigns that succeeded in both politically and economically isolating the Apartheid state, the regime is finally forced to the negotiating table. After twenty-seven years in prison, Nelson Mandela is released, sparking a global celebration. His world tour in 1990 is his testament to the significance of the global effort to end apartheid.