The film Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom produced in 2013 by director Justin Chadwick is centered around portraying the life of Nelson Mandela and his effort to liberate South Africa from Danish control. While the movie excellently portrayed Mandela and stuck to historical accuracy, what is just as impressive is it’s accuracy in regards to portraying African Culture. The most notable areas in which the film achieved this was with its attention to detail concerning traditions, politics, and language.
Arguably the most prominent aspect of a culture would be its traditions. Traditions are a “way to pass on the values, morals, customs and culture of one generation to the next, tradition also teaches us something about life, where we came from and who we are as people” (Rose, Katharine. “Why Traditions Matter.”). The film was accurate in its portrayal of tradition. Most notable in the form of South African tradition was the scene portraying Mandela’s initiation, or “Ulwaluko.” The Ulwaluko was the Xhosa “coming of age ceremony,” where a young Mandela is seen going away with other young boys of the village into the time where they would become men. The movie portrays the young boys in a hut, led by an older village man, drinking from gourds, faces and bodies covered in clay, wearing loincloth and blankets. This rite of passage is confirmed by Sahistory.org, where it reads “The Male abakwetha (initiates-in-training) live in special huts isolated from villages or towns for several weeks…they have their heads shaved. They wear a loincloth and a blanket for warmth, and white clay is smeared on their bodies from head to toe” (“Xhosa.” South African History Online). The site also makes mention of “Xhosa religious practice is distinguished by elaborate and lengthy rituals, initiations, and feasts,” leading to the conclusion of how not only was tradition important to the Xhosa, but was also portrayed accurately in the film.
Another key aspect of culture as portrayed through Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, is the aspect of politics and government. While not every government is chosen by the people and act with the best interests of the people in mind, no doubt the government of a society plays a heavy role on those under its rule. The politics in the film were central to the plot, with heavy detail used to tell the story. The film shows the African National Congress (ANC) making attempts to recruit Mandela for their cause. Mandela in the film joins in 1942, soon after his frustration with the current government reaches a turning point when his friend is beaten to death by corrupt police officers, and even with evidence, there is nothing he can do to contradict the judges decision that his friend died of disease while being detained. The film shows Mandela along with his group of ANC leaders being sentenced to life in prison under Apartheid government in 1964. The film later shows Mandela after his long battle through adversities becoming President of South Africa in 1994. All of these events portraying the history of government in South Africa can be confirmed through many historical sources, one of which is Nelsonmandela.org (““Timeline – Nelson Mandela Foundation.” ). While the dates are historically accurate, the contention felt and expressed by the people is also accurate. Many scenes of the movie showed protests, rallies, with recurring calls and responses. Some of these calls included “Mayibuye!” responded with “iAfrika!” and “Amandla!” responded with “Ngawethu!” These calls were seen in use against oppressive colonialism and apartheid government. A New York Times article translates these calls as “Let it come back!” “Africa!”, and “Power!” “It is ours!” respectively (“SOUTH AFRICA'S NEW ERA; 'Power!' 'It Is Ours!'.” The New York Times). There are many more examples of how politics and government were portrayed throughout the film, yet these examples stand out as the more important depictions while maintaining accuracy.
Finally, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom portrayed the aspect of language accurately. Through language, we attempt to express and communicate with other human beings. The way we do this is influenced by our culture. This film contains incredible attention to detail when portraying language. While the movie is primarily set in English to reach its target audience, key scenes and phrases are set in certain tongues. While watching the movie with subtitles, it is made clear when an actor is speaking in Xhosa or Afrikaans. Upon conducting research, I noted Afrikaans was a dialect “used by Dutch Settlers…originally a Dutch dialect” (“Afrikaans.” About World Languages). This dialect is seen mostly when white settlers and South African natives are seen talking amongst each other. In a scene in the movie at the 1:21:33 mark, where South Africans are protesting against their Dutch oppressors, a sign reading “Abolish Afrikaans” can be read. While the language is debated to be a form of oppression or independence (“Language Policy and Oppression in South Africa.” Cultural Survival), it is seen that this language played a large role in South African culture as it still remains a Nationally recognized and used language. The other main language apart from English in the film is Xhosa. Xhosa was the native language of much of the population of South Africa (“Xhosa.” Accredited Language Services). This can be seen through the names used for Nelson Mandela in the Xhosa language throughout the movie. As Mandela begins his life, it is noted his father gave him the name “Rolihlahla,” literally translating to “pulling the branch of a tree,” or “troublemaker” (“Names – Nelson Mandela Foundation.”). The movie proceeds when referring to another name, “Madiba.” “Madiba” was the name of Mandela’s clan, and referring to one in this way was seen as a sign of respect, honoring their heritage. The movie proves accurate in this sense. The names Mandela’s descendents address him by also attest to the movies cultural accuracy. In a scene where Mandela speaks to his daughter through a prison wall, his daughter refers to him as “Tata,” a Xhosa word used as an endearing term for father (“Names”). Much later in the film, as Mandela is partially freed and meets his extended family under Dutch prison guard supervision, he is addressed by his grandsons as “Khulu,” a Xhosa term meaning “Great one,” used commonly with grandchildren addressing their grandparents out of respect (“Names”). These ways Mandela was addressed through the movie accurately portray the Xhosa language being used. Other ways in which language was accurately portrayed was when the Dutch oppressors derogatorily referred to natives as “Kaffirs,” a term historically used to express contempt towards the Native Xhosa people (“Kaffir.” Dictionary.com). Another term seen used in the film was the term “Boer,” a word used to refer to a Dutch settler, seen as non-derogatory, and defined by Oxford Dictionaries as A member of the Dutch…population which settled in southern Africa in the late 17th century.” These terms were accurately used in the film in conjunction with their current and historical definitions. Language plays a great part in the culture of society, and the way language was used throughout the film accurately portrays the multiple languages were used in this period of African culture.