On the 23rd of April, The Trials of Winnie Mandela goes live on Netflix across Africa!

This marks the culmination of 12 years of work with the Ichikowitz Family Foundation and the African Oral History Archive — and, truthfully, a 12 -year personal obsession.

I am deeply moved that the world can now experience the extraordinary journey that the late Mandy Jacobson and I undertook together with Winnie’s granddaughters, and in many ways, with Winnie Mandela herself.

This series is a tribute to remarkable filmmakers who worked tirelessly with me to help bring this story to life, and to those who were willing to revisit painful memories and speak with honesty, candour, and courage. Their voices are complex, emotional, and at times contradictory — as history often is.

This is not only a story about Winnie Mandela. It is also the story of one of the most complex liberation struggles in modern history, and of a young democracy still wrestling with its promises and imperfections.

Winnie allowed us to make this film because she understood, as I do, that the victories and failures of our struggle — and of our democracy — hold lessons for future generations seeking to build a better world.

She knew this story was bigger than herself. She knew that telling it through her eyes mattered. She understood that truth, however uncomfortable, is part of legacy.

Mama Winnie was my friend, my mentor, and my guide. I stood beside her through triumph and turmoil, through light and shadow. To this day, I have never fully decided whether she was a saint or a sinner. Perhaps she was both. Perhaps she was simply human.

This series allows every viewer to decide for themselves — or not to decide at all.

I am grateful to everyone who walked this road with me: to Mandy Jacobson, who before her untimely passing gave every waking moment to telling this story; to C.A. van Aswegen S.A.G.E. for editing what is, in my view, one of the most complex stories ever, to @Ben Willem and Basiami Bibi Segola for some of the most moving original music score I ever heard, to Zolani Mahola for an anthem to beat all anthems. And to Winnie’s grandchildren, Swati and Zaziwe, who chose courage over comfort and joined us on a journey they knew would be painful; and to all who helped bring this work to the screen.

To Mama herself! What courage! What trust! What a woman!!

Today, Africa — and the world — can finally join this journey with us to celebrate Mama Winnie in ALL her glory!

Viva Mama Winnie, viva!

By Ivor Ichikowitz

Caption: Artwork by Loyiso Mkize, created for The Trials of Winnie Mandela

Caption: Ivor Ichikowitz and Winnie Mandela