Nelson Mandela’s granddaughter says he ‘never lost spirit’
(MENAFN) Nelson Mandela’s granddaughter, Ndileka Mandela, has shared that South Africa’s first black president “never lost his spirit” despite the harsh treatment he endured during his long struggle against apartheid. Speaking in RT Africa’s upcoming documentary Mandela: The Man Behind the Legend, she revisited Robben Island for the first time in 40 years, retracing the steps of her grandfather’s imprisonment.
Reflecting on the cruelty of the apartheid regime, Ndileka Mandela described how it sought to destroy not only Mandela’s body but his humanity and spirit. “I had never imagined… how the apartheid system tried to break the humanity, tried to break the spirit,” she said.
The documentary, set to premiere on Mandela Day, July 18, offers an intimate portrait of Nelson Mandela’s life through interviews with those who knew and worked closely with him. The film blends personal memories with history, shedding light on Mandela’s legacy and enduring impact.
“He remained at heart a rural boy, through and through,” Ndileka added.
Xoliswa Ndoyiya, Mandela’s former personal chef, also appears in the film, recalling how she felt more like family than staff. “His legacy for me is the values he taught – loving people, sharing with people, caring for people, and, above all, respecting people,” she said.
The film takes viewers to Robben Island, once a symbol of oppression where Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years in prison. Now, it stands as a site of remembrance, honoring his resilience and the values he championed.
Nelson Mandela’s fight against the apartheid regime, which enforced racial segregation from 1948 to 1994, made him a global icon for justice and equality. After his release from prison, Mandela became South Africa’s first democratically elected president. He passed away in 2013, but his influence continues to inspire people around the world.
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