The Struggle Against Apartheid in South Africa
The struggle against apartheid in South Africa is one of the memorable battles for equality and freedom in the world history. Despite achieving its independence in the early years of the 20th century, South Africa remained under an oppressive rule of few individuals who thought that other races in the country did not deserve to be treated equally as the white race. The introduction of apartheid by the National Party (NP) in 1948 created a playground for social injustices combined with discriminations (Van Wyk).
Apartheid: A Conspiracy for Oppression
Apartheid was believed to be a roadmap towards cultural and societal development. The protagonists of the idea called for the separate development of the different races living in South Africa as the only way towards self-sufficiency. However, as it turned out to be, the policy was just a conspiracy used to introduce oppressive laws that were aimed at demeaning the black race and other minority groups in South Africa whose members did not share the same skin colour with the rulers. After years of massive oppression and segregation, South African loyalists formed national resistance movements that advocated for an end to apartheid rule. At this moment, it was clear that the apartheid laws were ill intended and meant no good to the African communities. It was through the anti-apartheid era that Nelson Mandela became a historical icon. His achievements together with the leaders he was working with made remarkable transformation in South African leadership and brought the freedom currently evident in South Africa (Van Wyk).
The Movie "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom"
The movie "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom," by Justin Chadwick is a depiction of Nelson Mandela's rich autobiography which chronologizes the struggle of a national hero who championed and made substantial personal sacrifices in the quest for justice (Brooks). Although the film looks like a summary of Mandela's selfless life, the director only presents the most defining moments of Mandela's with a diligent coverage of the injustices during the apartheid period. The ideals of the movie are based on the injustices observed during the apartheid period as Mandela, and other leaders waged actions against the oppression of their people (Smith 413).
Oppression during the Apartheid Period
Mandela, who is one of the famous anti-apartheid movement leaders, put his life in line and gets a 27-year imprisonment in an island where he was held incommunicado. From start to end, most of the actions in the movie show neither justice nor democracy (Brooks). As the film narrates how Mandela's life changed from a teenage boy in Xhosa village in South Africa into becoming the first black president, the viewer can see the unfair treatment of the African race. Africans including Mandela were subjected to discriminatory sentences whereby, people were thrown into isolated prisons whenever they were found campaigning against the ideologies of the government. Such was the fate for Mandela and other African leaders who were opposing the government.
The Judicial System and Apartheid Ideologies
The judicial system at the time of Mandela's sentencing was affected by the apartheid ideologies (Smith 418). Although Mandela broke the law by using violence in fighting for the common good, the offense did not warrant him life imprisonment. The conviction was politically inspired and was one way of silencing the anti-apartheid camp. The apartheid regime was using courts as a tool to frustrate the efforts of leaders who wanted a change in the system of government (Van Wyk) and therefore, the judicial system in the film "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom" did not portray a fair representation of the actual laws. It is the 27 years of Mandela's life in prison that gives the viewer a chance to see the sufferings associated with the apartheid rule. The agony underwent by Mandela and his fellow inmates in unbearable. They are forced to work in quarries breaking rocks without any a clear safety precaution measure. Once they entered the prison, Mandela and his co-leaders who were arrested alongside him were forced to wear shorts as it is customary. Being a national leader and more so, an anti-apartheid activist, Mandela knew that the prison system is not right and needed reformations as well (Brooks).
Injustices in Prisons
Although the movie speeds through the prison life, the scenes exhibit the diabolical nature in which punishment was forced and the little privileges offered to the inmates. To begin with, Mandela and other imprisoned activists waged a successful protest for the introduction of trousers in prisons to replace the short pants. The win which is seemingly insignificant points out the injustices witnessed in prisons (Brooks). Additionally, the jail where Mandela was confined was mainly, if not entirely, filled up by black prisoners. The high number of black prisoners which can be attributed to the apartheid laws is a sign of how the whole system of governance was biased towards the African race. It further hinted out the alarming state of mass incarceration at that moment. In the end, Mandela is released from prison, and the apartheid rule was lifted kindling a sprite moment for the African population in the country.
Injustices Portrayed
In spite of the movie ending in a delightful mood, the social injustices portrayed are crystal clear. The life of Mandela as many people will remember was to a greater extent marked by unfair treatment and unending quest for racial equality. Scenes of racial discrimination and other injustices against Africans constituted a considerable portion of the movie (Brooks). Thus, the judicial system portrayed in the film does not offer a balanced representation of the actual laws, and as a result, it inflicted pain and suffering to its subjects. Moreover, justice although served in the end has no place in most of the scenes in the film "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom". The film is a typical representation of injustices and highlights the cost of fighting for democracy.
Works cited
Brooks, Xan. "Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom – Review." the Guardian. N.p., 2018. Web. 6 May 2018.
Smith, K. I. "Response To Rodriguez: A "Long Walk To Freedom" And Democracy?." Social Forces 83.1 (2004): 413-421. Web.
Van Wyk, J.H. "Long Walk To Freedom: The Autobiography Of Nelson Mandela." Koers - Bulletin for Christian Scholarship 60.4 (1995): n. pag. Web.
