Videovision Entertainment has produced a feature length film as a 90th Birthday Tribute to Nelson Mandela (Madiba), to be screened on SABC2 on 18 July at 21h00.

Viva Madiba: A Hero For All Seasons is a celebration of Mandela’s remarkable life and his status as an international icon. At 90 years old he remains in the global spotlight, as a moral leader, an elder statesman and an exceptional human being. The film takes a personal look at Madiba as a loyal friend, a dependable comrade, a trusted confidant, a respected mentor, and a man who has touched and transformed countless lives. His life of struggle, humanity, destiny and greatness is recalled and celebrated by those who knew him best and who worked with him in the quest to break the chains of oppression, taking us beyond the political and into the personal.

The film features exclusive interviews with Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Oliver Tambo, George Bizos, Ahmed Kathrada, Pik Botha, Dorothy Masuka, Nthato Motlana, Cyril Ramaphosa, Helen Suzman, Zolani Mkiva, Jessie Duarte, Francois Pienaar, Sydney Kentridge, Mac Maharaj, Christo Brand and Gill Marcus.

Speaking about the film, producer Anant Singh commented, “We are thrilled to have made this special tribute to Madiba for his 90th Birthday and our thanks to the SABC for making a special effort to broadcast it on his birthday. This is our 90th Birthday present to Madiba. Viva Madiba: A Hero For All Seasons tells Madiba’s story and as a South African it makes me very proud to have him as a friend and mentor and to be able to do this. We wish him a Happy 90th Birthday and a Happy Anniversary to his wife Graca and Madiba.”

Viva Madiba: A Hero For All Seasons is a Videovision Entertainment production in association with the SABC, Globalvision Media and Distant Horizon. It is produced by Anant Singh and Helena Spring, executive produced by Sudhir Pragjee and Sanjeev Singh with Danny Schechter as consulting director and is edited and directed by Catherine Meyburgh.