Madiba movie might be in curriculum

The movie, Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom, could become part of the national school curriculum if discussions prove successful.

The Department of Basic Education and the Nelson Mandela Foundation had had several meetings about the inclusion of the movie into the curriculum, department spokesperson Panyaza Lesufi said.

He added the discussions were in an advanced stage.

Videovision Entertainment has partnered with Pearson Education to give high school pupils a visual history lesson of the life and times of Nelson Mandela through the film, which will form part of their Curriculum Assessment Policy Statements Syllabus.

Secondary school worksheets based on the film have also been developed.

Gary Broom, marketing director for schools at Pearson South Africa, said the worksheets would provide pupils with an opportunity to develop and apply skills while gaining insight into the life of an historical icon.

He added that pupils could use existing social sciences and history knowledge, challenging them to think critically about the historical events that shaped South Africa.

“True to the words of Nelson Mandela, ‘education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world’, we have created a film that we hope will inspire people all over the world, especially the youth to uplift themselves and to find the ‘Mandela’ within,” the movie’s producer Anant Singh said.

The movie boasts an all-star local and international cast, including Naomie Harris, Idris Elba, Terry Pheto, Riaad Moosa, Lindiwe Matshikiza and Fana Mokoena.

The struggle stalwart died at his Houghton home in Johannesburg on 5 December 2013 at the age of 95.

He was buried in his village of Qunu in the Eastern Cape on 15 December.