A recently released documentary examining the legacy of anti-apartheid activists and the release of Nelson Mandela sheds new light on the struggles endured by those who fought to end South Africa’s system of racial segregation and oppression.

The film highlights the contrasting experiences of key figures such as Winnie Mandela and James Mange, who played significant roles in the liberation movement. Winnie Mandela, despite her controversial reputation and criminal conviction for kidnapping and assault, remains a potent symbol of resistance. Her outspoken endorsement of violent tactics, including “necklacing” — the practice of setting petrol-soaked tyres aflame around victims’ necks — drew widespread condemnation, reflected in graffiti labeling her both a liberator and a “kid killer.” However, supporters argue that her militancy stemmed from the brutal realities she endured under apartheid.

James Mange, a reggae musician from Soweto, also endured severe hardships. After joining the armed wing of the African National Congress (ANC), Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), following the 1976 Soweto uprising, he underwent weapons training abroad before returning to South Africa. Arrested in 1978 for planning an attack on a police station, Mange was convicted of high treason, sentenced to death, and subjected to torture techniques designed to break prisoners’ spirits. Following international pressure, his death sentence was commuted to a 20-year prison term on Robben Island, where he was housed near Mandela. Despite forming a close personal bond with Mandela, the two diverged politically; Mange believed Mandela’s vision was overly optimistic and sought a more radical redistribution of the country’s wealth.

Life on Robben Island was harsh, but Mange and fellow prisoners used music as a form of resistance. He founded a band named the Whiplashes and earned a reputation as the “Bob Marley of Robben Island.” Mandela appreciated these performances, which helped maintain morale among inmates.

The documentary also traces the role of international cultural movements in raising awareness about apartheid. In 1983, British musician Jerry Dammers wrote the song “Free Nelson Mandela” after attending an anti-apartheid demonstration in London. The track, performed on a popular television program by Dammers’ band the Specials, became an anthem for the movement worldwide, despite its ban in South Africa. High-profile concerts, including a 1988 Wembley Stadium event celebrating Mandela’s 70th birthday featuring global stars such as George Michael and Stevie Wonder, further amplified international pressure that contributed to his release.

Mandela was freed on February 11, 1990, as South Africa faced escalating economic sanctions, widespread strikes, and civil unrest that rendered apartheid governance untenable. Mange was released a year later but remained skeptical about the country’s future. Though voting rights had been secured, Mange expressed concerns that true economic equality and wealth redistribution were still out of reach for the majority of black South Africans.

The film presents varied perspectives on post-apartheid South Africa’s direction. Christo Brand, Mandela’s former prison warder, lamented that the country ultimately embraced capitalism, benefiting only a minority while many township residents continued to struggle. In a surprising moment, former National Party finance minister Barend du Plessis, who served under apartheid, acknowledged Mandela’s extraordinary tolerance and expressed regret over the regime’s actions.

The documentary closes by commemorating the human cost of apartheid: an estimated 21,000 deaths from political violence and the forced relocation of 3.5 million black South Africans to impoverished townships. Brand summarized the enduring sorrow, noting that the entire ordeal was “a totally unnecessary disaster” rooted in the injustice of racial segregation. The film airs on Channel 4 on June 14 at 9 p.m.