Winnie Mandela Threatens Lawsuit over Film Portrayal

Winnie Mandela May Sue Over Film Is she the prideful, uncompromising "Mother of South Africa," as claimed by supporters, or is she a dangerous rabble-rouser who should be behind bars for orchestrating a murder?

Few people can generate such divergent views as Winnie Madikizela-Mandela or provide the grist for her colorful and interesting life story as Nelson Mandela's former wife.

But whether that story ever gets told on screen is an open question.

A South African film titled "Winnie" is scheduled to star Jennifer Hudson as the angry anti-apartheid voice for South Africa's black downtrodden. The project has already drawn protests from some who are angry that a non-South African actress has been given such an important film role.

The latest roadblock for the picture came to light when Ms. Mandela, 73, announced that she might sue the film producers to block production. She has claimed that she had not been asked for her consent on the film, and whether her consent is even necessary for the project could be a question for the courts to decide if an agreement isn't reached.

For purely selfish reasons, I hope the film gets made. I was in South Africa covering the groundbreaking election of Nelson Mandela as president in 1994 for the Cleveland Plain Dealer newspaper.

I was introduced to Ms. Mandela at a political rally, and as I prepared to start my interview, she was whisked away by guards and supporters in to a waiting car. I didn't get within 10 feet of her again during my month-long assignment.

I wanted a closer look at the woman who stirred such passions - both good and bad - and I'd like a closer look now.

After all, marriage to Winnie Mandela did what years of torture and imprisonment couldn't do to Nelson Mandela: make him cry uncle and give up. They divorced in 1996.

While the South African freedom movement had many heroes, none were as beloved as Nelson Mandela; however, no one stirred the raw passions of the masses like Winnie Mandela. Her mere appearance at events would send the crowd into a frenzy.

Nelson was viewed by many as a reluctant partner with the white power structure, but Winnie was seen as the angry, sworn blood enemy of the white regime.

Think of the old Malcolm X/Martin Luther King debate, South Africa–styled.

Nelson talked of forgiveness. Winnie talked of burning car tires around the necks of black traitors.

Even charges that her armed guards, posing as a local football team, kidnapped and killed an alleged teenage collaborator, split black public opinion, with some decrying the violence and others believing he got what he deserved.

It could all make for a fascinating film, if it even gets made at all.