Original subtitles

Mr.

Mandela, how do we know you can maintain law and order, Mr. Mandela? Do you ever

think you'd live to see this day, Mr. Mandela?

I would like a few moments with myself, please.

I have been called many things in my life, but perhaps they got it most right

the first time.

Holy Flathla.

That was the name my parents gave to me when I was born, back in Kumu.

It means troublemaker.

Sir, I give you this child.

He is progressing well.

I am entrusting him to you so that you will educate him,

so that you will give him the life that we give.

My father's dying wish changed the course of my life.

He wanted me to live an educated life, to make a difference for our people.

I promised myself I would honor his wish.

Then I knew that meant my life would now have a new beginning.

Thank you.

Welcome, Kolikata.

This will be your family. I missed my own family.

I missed home.

But now I had a new brother named Justice.

One of our favorite pastimes was stick fighting.

One stick on the left hand to parry the blows from the other.

And then in the right hand, a stick to hit me.

I never lost the lessons learned with those two sticks, even when I later took

up boxing.

To defeat an opponent was instilled in me early.

It was something that stuck with me.

However, I did lose my Xhosa name.

And what is your name?

Ulisasha.

No, I don't want that one. You must have a Christian name.

From now on, You will be known as Nelson.

Where I grew up, the king's court, there were elders all around, thinking,

convening, leading.

From them, I learned about the history of my people.

and the battles they fought in the older times.

A series of wars over 100 years.

Our people fighting with spears against the gunpowder of the white men. I was

impressed and inspired hearing about the bravery of our traditional leaders.

The way the Xhosa people transition from boy to man

is a vital rite of passage in my life. culture.

How you handled the operation is a matter of grave importance and pride.

It still holds some shame for me that I was not as strong as the other boys.

It stuck in my mind that I wanted to do better.

To prove myself worthy.

You have buried your childhood.

You have entered now the face of a man.

There are those who are going to go back to school.

But there will be nobody in this country.

because of the policy of the white man.

There will be soldiers who never will be able to fight for the freedom of their

people because they will have no gun.

Nevertheless, we expect that now that you are men, you

will fight for the liberation of your people.

These are good young men, both of them.

And these are good young women.

Both Justice and Nelson are university educated.

And when the time comes, they'll be in charge of the village.

Then they'll both need wonderful wives who'll cook and take care of them.

You can look at each other.

Of course.

My daughters don't bite, you know. So if there's nothing more to discuss, let's

shake hands and wish them a long...

Happy, healthy life.

I suppose that's it then.

Speak for yourself.

Selling father's cars is a bad idea.

It's going to be so much.

I promise I'll pay him back one day.

But if we don't leave now, we'll be stuck in the future, someone else

for us.

Nelson, we can't do this. Fine, go back.

Say hello to your wife for me.

Nothing. Johannesburg?

Yes. And what are you going to do there?

Oh, you know, kill some cows and cause mayhem.

Have you had your person stamped?

I don't know.

Can we have our tickets, please?

Why not?

I've been asked to look out for two boys who are trying to leave.

And if they come here, I should not send them a ticket.

In fact, I should inform Chief immediately.

We're not boys.

Well, we tried.

Maybe we should go up by Father's cowpeck.

oh oh

We're here. This is Joburg.

It's big, huh? And noisy.

Hey, I'm finished.

Hey, stop it! Hey!

Did you know those kids?

It's your first day in the city.

Yeah.

Don't forget who you are.

If they're out of trouble... Do you know where we can find work and a place to

stay? The gold mines are the only place we are around here.

That's where they're going.

Thank you.

Gold and diamonds are valuable in our modern world.

And most of them come from our country at the southern tip of Africa. The mine

shafts are two miles deep into the earth.

Daily, hundreds of miners are buried below.

A hot and noisy job.

For the native labourers, it is not an easy one.

On your

feet! Sorry,

boss. One minute, please.

I said on your feet! One minute, boss. I said you could take a break. Sorry,

boss. Sorry, boss. Who said you could take a break, lazy capper?

Justice, you won't believe what happened today to this poor man. For taking a

minute to clear his throat, he was beaten and there was nothing I could do.

Nothing.

Father has died.

They need me at

home now.

What about Johanna's bed?

It hasn't been a year yet.

You never got the chance to get a life here.

You know, Father never wanted us to go.

I owe him so much.

Maybe I should say that. No.

He wanted you to study law.

There are no black lawyers here.

You can make lots of money, marry a beautiful wife, children.

This place suits you more than me.

Sounds like you're trying to get rid of me, my brother.

Not at all.

If I could hold on to you, I would.

I don't know how to explain it yet.

I feel like there's something here for me.

I hope you find what you're looking for.

The injustices I saw at the mines were a reminder of my father's wishes for me.

I went to university and got my law degree, and now it was time to find a

purpose.

And they imposed these recommendations for fair treatment without negotiation,

without discussion.

And we are just expected to say, yes, pass?

No!

The miners' strike didn't begin today.

Over 30 years ago, 200 ,000... Nelson Mandela.

I've seen you at these meetings for months and I couldn't place why I knew

face.

And just now I got it.

Oliver Tambo.

Fort Hare University.

They kicked you out, right?

It was my decision.

A matter of principle. You know that place.

They kicked me out.

For organizing a boycott a year after you left.

Yeah, yeah, you look familiar.

No, I don't.

It's okay. I have a pretty forgettable face.

I really think they give me an identity, don't you?

So many of us have come together from our villages to work in the factories

the mines.

We must organize the workers.

Draw up new programs of action.

Strike!

Defiance!

You want to meet my friend Walter Susulu?

I am amazed.

We are in the majority in this country, and we still have to hide to enjoy each

other's company.

What is your reputation, Nelson? I was at Fort Hare, like Oliver, studying to

a lawyer. We have had to postpone our law school.

Sounds mysterious.

Do elaborate.

I was one of six students at the University of Fort Hare who was running

leader in an election that was being improperly conducted.

It was put to me that I should go along with the corrupt process or leave. Bit

of a troublemaker.

So, Nelson, what do you say?

The African National Congress needs educated people, especially lawyers.

Where do I sign up?

Yes. Yes.

I had found a new home in the ANC.

And right away, I had my first take on action.

Our protest reversed the rise in bus fares for working Africans.

We saw that activism had real power, that justice could be won.

But the price of victory would be higher than we ever imagined.

I push through like this, and when my opponent is open, I go... I

told you he was a fighter.

So, just because I wasn't born in the ghetto like you, I have no right to

comment on the impoverished man and woman?

Yeah, maybe that's what I'm saying.

Well, then you're a bloody bourgeois and an elite. It takes one to know one.

What? You've never seen two communists fight before? It can get ugly.

Yes, I can see that.

Neriffon, you know Ruth Fast?

From the university. One of the sharpest minds I've ever met.

Flatterer. Be careful, Joe's got his sights set on this one.

You know you don't want to mess with him.

He lied about his age so he could fight the Nazis in World War II.

Yeah, couldn't wait to get my hands on them.

Hey, Captain.

You know Walter?

Walter?

Yeah, there he is.

It looks like he's engaged in a fair fight for a change.

The only credible response to the struggle is black nationalism. That is

only way that we can fight it.

Communism does not translate into the African continent.

Black nationalism, then you start to understand Afrikaner nationalism. My

aren't monsters. They just suffer and they feel vulnerable.

We're the minority. If your people have suffered so much, why are you not on

their side?

Because my people are wrong.

You're lucky I'm your professor, young man. Not many people challenge me and

live to tell about it.

Evelyn!

Anel, this is Evelyn, my cousin.

Evelyn, this is...

They're going to help us change the world.

Hello, Anthony.

Hello, Evelyn.

Did you get to dance?

So.

I bought it to commemorate this moment. You don't like it?

I love it. I didn't realize it's such a romantic.

You didn't, eh?

Come here.

Come here.

Yes.

In a stunning victory, the National Party has won

the election.

They are now poised to implement new racial policies for South Africa.

Your words have ushered in a great day.

South Africa is dealing with one of the greatest problems any country can

possibly face.

It's the question of war and peace.

And we finally found a solution that does not involve bloodshed and misery.

Apartheid.

apartheid will accord to the non -European people the possibility to

not by the sword, but by the benevolent hand of the Europeans across this

country. That is without oppression and through a policy that achieves justice

for all.

I like to think of it as good neighbourliness.

Did you receive the police officer in any way?

I didn't get a chance to. They had me on the ground, battered and bloodied

before I even knew that they were there.

I say, can you tell me, were there any witnesses to this altercation?

What would it matter if anyone did see it?

If they're white, they don't help.

If they're not white, what laws are there to protect us?

We are still going to try and present a case.

Why?

I may as well be sent to jail.

I have about as much control over my life out here as I would in there.

You think I should waste my time trying to fight it?

It was getting worse.

The injustice.

It was a time of fear.

Of frustration.

A time of anger.

My friends at the mall have finally had dinner.

I had never before seen such hate, violence, and bloodshed.

As I walked amongst the dead bodies, I knew there was no turning back.

For me, the anti -apartheid movement was born on that day.

Deliver this son of Africa into your arms.

Give us peace.

I pray every day for our leaders in this fight for our liberation.

We are grateful for our spirit to protect us.

Thank you, Father.

They are killing us, our brothers and sisters.

We are all betrayed, but we must not look hard.

We are gaining attention and sympathy for our defiance campaign the world

around. Yes, we are gaining international attention, but one by one

losing our people. One by one they are being sent to jail. But there's more

we can do.

We are holding rallies in our own country where hundreds of people turn

Hundreds of people won't change anything.

We need thousands of people to turn out. And we are building to that. With all

due respect, Chief Latuli, you are a great president.

But we need to reach out to the people now.

What do you suggest?

Why do people ignore activism, movements, politics?

Because they feel that they, as one path, have no power, no voice. That is

they feel they will never be heard. We must make them feel that they are being

heard. Make them feel that if they support us, every last South African.

From the rich white Afrikaner in Johannesburg to the poorest black lady

township, they have a voice.

Gentlemen, we need to be their voice.

Government keeps pushing and pushing and pushing, but they don't know our

strength. They don't know the strength of the South African people.

Why does the ANC refrain from violence?

The answer is simple.

We are not damned.

We do not practice the same disregard for human life.

The ANC is in the practice of hope, of unity, of bringing all of Africa

together. If we can do that, if we can learn to speak in one voice, so

strong, so powerful.

that we cannot be drowned out, then all of their guns won't matter.

They cannot stop.

Mark it on a piece of paper what you want and how you want it.

Together we will create the freedom charter.

All equal before the law.

Like that.

All national groups shall have equal rights. The people shall share in the

country's wealth.

There shall be peace and friendship. There shall be work and serenity.

Well, we never expected this much response.

The people have spoken.

You know, Kathy, I think Chief Latuli is going to ask you to make the big speech

announcing the charter tomorrow.

Me?

Why would he do that?

He wants to see if you are able to handle big pressure situations.

I can't. I'll mess it up.

No, come on, guys.

That's not funny. I could have had a heart attack. Come on.

They have just banned the leaders of the ANC from being in any public event.

How can they do that?

Every time we gain an inch, they change the bloody rules.

If you attend the Congress of the People, you will all be arrested.

Then let them arrest us.

Why are we correct?

Nelson, why can't you come with us?

The freedom charter, Evelyn. If you want to go to church, it is your choice.

But what about your faith? You don't even come to the meetings anymore.

I still have my faith.

But at this moment, the movement is what is going to help our children.

The children that you never see.

Tembi, come here.

I will be here when you return from church this afternoon.

Are you sure?

What will we do if you're arrested?

We the people of South Africa declare for all our country and the world.

to know that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, black and

white.

No government can just claim authority unless it is based

on the will of the people.

And we will strive unwaveringly Until this democratic change

has been won, each and every one

of you is represented in this charter.

Today was a great day for me.

It was supposed to be a great day for all of us.

I don't think you understand what a great day for us is.

Nelson, the children just want to see you.

Go for a walk.

Have dinner together.

That's what I want too.

The movement.

That's not the life that I want.

If you think that life exists for us without the movement, you are wrong.

Because all those simple things you are asking for, those things are freedom.

The luxuries of a free life, that is what I am fighting for.

Tembi, I am sorry I was not here earlier.

One day you will be old enough to help me.

We will be father and son united together in this struggle.

So you're saying nothing is going to change?

There's no room for us until the struggle is over?

They're laughing at us. They're mocking us. Can't you see that? Well, with all

due respect, Prime Minister, all their leaders are under ban, and we have

scores of those communists. With all due respect, is it working?

We need to respond.

We must put these people in their place.

I think we need to respond with great caution, Mr Prime Minister, if I may.

International opinion is already very prickly after all the publicity from the

defiance campaign.

This is our country, and we proceed the way that is best for our people.

We don't need their approval from the rest of the world.

We were nearly destroyed and exterminated by the British.

We cannot bend to an international opinion.

And when all is said and done, the world will come to see why we had to do what

we had to do. And what do we have to do?

Cut the head off the beast.

Arrest the leaders, all of them. On what charter?

Drayton. That charter is outright communism.

Those are the ones we want. There are hundreds.

We'll have to arrest hundreds.

Can we present a case in court?

We have informers who will testify.

I want a special court, away from the public eye, in a church or a synagogue,

set up with three of our judges, handpicked. And the rule of law? And

the Americans.

I think we can gain their support.

They hate communists as much as we do.

It will be okay, Paul.

Don't forget, we have God on our side. They do not.

We have a warrant to search this place and for your arrest.

Under what charges?

Practicing communism and plotting to overthrow the state with violence.

Come on!

It will be okay.

The docket needs to examine all of you. So step!

Surely you can bring us in out of the rain.

Well, surely you're going to want to shut your mouth, Gaffer.

You're in my yard.

After two days in prison, our lawyers secured our release on bail.

We knew this was the beginning of a long and brutal fight against the charge of

treason.

But for me, my real punishment came when I returned home.