POV Season 19 Episode 10 Twelve Disciples of Nelson Mandela

In the season 19 episode 10 of POV named "Twelve Disciples of Nelson Mandela," the documentary takes us on a journey with twelve individuals who worked alongside Nelson Mandela in the fight against apartheid in South Africa. The film presents intimate conversations with the twelve individuals who all played a crucial role in Mandela's life and the fight for freedom in South Africa.

As we journey with the twelve disciples, we gain insight into their personal experiences and struggles. The individuals interviewed in the documentary are activists, lawyers, and politicians, who worked closely with Mandela and were part of the African National Congress (ANC). Their stories are heartfelt and give us an accurate account of the work that went on behind the scenes of the struggle for freedom in South Africa.

The documentary shows us footage of Nelson Mandela on trial, advocating for equality and justice for all South Africans, and his subsequent imprisonment. We are taken through the difficult journey of his incarceration and how it affected those around him, including the twelve disciples.

What makes this documentary special is the range of personalities it covers. Each of the twelve disciples has their own unique view of the events and the role that they played in the struggle. Some were in jail with Mandela, while others were working abroad to rally international support for the cause.

As the documentary progresses, we learn more and more about the sacrifices that these individuals made for the cause. We see how they had to leave their families and loved ones and go into hiding for years to avoid imprisonment. We also learn about the risks they took to ensure that the world knew about the atrocities that were being committed against black South Africans.

The film includes interviews with those who were in exile and were trying to gather support for the South African cause from afar. They tell us about their frustration and desperation at not being able to act on the atrocities they were witnessing in their home country.

The documentary also brings up the subject of violence. While Mandela was an advocate of a non-violent struggle initially, the film reminds us of the horrors that were inflicted on black South Africans by the white supremacist government. It exposes the reluctance of the government to take action against the violence and the need for many to take up arms to defend themselves and others from the barbaric acts committed by the state.

All throughout the documentary, we witness the dedication of these individuals to the struggle that was aimed at ensuring a free and democratic South Africa. We see how they fought with every resource available to them, even if it meant risking their lives.

Towards the end of the documentary, we see the release of Mandela from prison and the eventual fall of the apartheid government. The tone becomes one of optimism and we begin to see the road to democracy being paved. However, the film does not sugarcoat the hardships that came with this new era of South African politics. We see how each of the twelve disciples played a role in the ANC-led government and the challenges they faced in rebuilding the country.

Overall, the documentary is an excellent account of the struggle for freedom in South Africa. It provides a personal touch with each of the twelve disciples and gives us a sense of who they are and what they did. It also shows us the complexity of the struggle and the challenges that came with achieving freedom.