http://dissidentvoice.org/2012/10/dear-mandela-from-durban-to-detroit-the-struggle-for-land-and-house/

Dear Mandela: From Durban to Detroit, the Struggle for Land and House
by Tolu Olorunda, October 20th, 2012

This is the life of the poor; this is the perpetual cry I hear.
— Khalil Gibran, Spirits Rebellious

“A house is not just a roof over somebody. It must have all the necessities that a human being needs. Because even this beautiful museum, if there is no water, no light, this is not a museum. It’s a slum,” Mnikelo Ndabankulu said this past Sunday afternoon inside the Charles H. Wright Museum, where Dear Mandela, a Sundance grant-funded film about the South African shack dwellers movement, was being screened. “For us, a house, a structure in the middle of nowhere is not a house. It’s a shelter. But it becomes a house when there are clinics, schools, shops—infrastructure—around” — the words of Zodwa Nsibande, a fellow member of the shack dwellers movement, Abahlali baseMjondolo, visiting Detroit from South Africa.

http://louisproyect.wordpress.com/2012/09/26/dear-mandela/

Dear Mandela

by Louis Proyect, The Unrepentant Marxist

It would be impossible to overstate the importance of “Dear Mandela”, a documentary now showing at the IndieScreen Theater in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn through tomorrow evening. After a decade or more of Hollywood movies like “Invictus” or “In My Country” that can best be described as public relations for the ANC, a fierce documentary directed by Dara Kell, a South African now living in the U.S., and Christopher Nizza, finally catches up with reality–a system of economic apartheid has replaced one based on race.

http://movies.nytimes.com/2012/09/21/movies/dear-mandela-directed-by-dara-kell-and-christopher-nizza.html?_r=0

After Apartheid, More Struggles to Wage
‘Dear Mandela,’ Directed by Dara Kell and Christopher Nizza

by Nicolas Rapold, The New York Times

Opens on Friday in Brooklyn.
Directed by Dara Kell and Christopher Nizza

In English and Zulu, with English subtitles

1 hour 33 minutes; not rated

Following the efforts of a South African housing rights group, the documentary “Dear Mandela” illustrates how fresh injustices have succeeded the inequality once enforced by apartheid. The directors Dara Kell and Christopher Nizza largely adhere to the standard arc of relating activist accomplishment, but the momentous historical backdrop and some stinging moments help lift the film.

http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117948369/

Dear Mandela

by Ronnie Schieb

Stirring docu "Dear Mandela" traces recent events in an "informal settlement" near Durban, South Africa, where forcible evictions spawned a grassroots movement called Abahlali baseMjondolo ("people of the shacks," in Zulu). Helmers Dara Kell and Christopher Nizza focus on Abahlali's leader and three young members as they challenge the constitutionality of the new law that makes these evictions possible; the fledgling organization soon finds itself violently targeted by government forces of the African National Congress -- the party of Nelson Mandela -- which raises disturbing questions about those in power. Opening at Brooklyn's Indiescreen, this evocatively shot, lucidly edited film deserves wider distribution.

http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/162078-dear-mandela-south-african-slum-dwellers-fight-back/

In 'Dear Mandela', South African Slum Dwellers Fight Back

We Don’t Know Where Tomorrow Are We Going to Be

“The kids got back and found no home.” Describing the crisis she and her family are facing, a young mother in Durban, South Africa has trouble finding the words… and what to do next. “Where are you planning to sleep tonight?” asks Mnikelo Ndabankulu, who regularly meets with people who’ve been evicted by police—which means, people whose shacks have been knocked down by men with guns and axes. “I don’t know,” the mother frets. ” Spread the blankets and sleep right here? I really have no idea what to do.”

http://africasacountry.com/2012/06/14/film-review-dear-mandela/

Film Review. Dear Mandela

by Basia Lewandowska Cummings

Midway through ‘Dear Mandela’, Mazwi Nzimande, one of its young protagonists, is rallying a crowd. He’s young, nervous. He looks down at his hands as he takes the microphone, wearing his organisation’s trademark red t-shirt.

“We are fighting for what is ours!” he declares, his energy tangible to the gathering. “Down with people who disrespect our leaders! Down with people who discriminate against shack dwellers!” he cries. “Down with the IFP party, down!” People are answering his calls with enthusiasm, united by his determination. He’s part of a group who have been tirelessly fighting for the rights of shack dwellers in the informal settlement of Kennedy Road, in the outskirts of Durban. Encouraged and at ease, Mazwi shouts on; “Down with the ANC party, down!” But with this chant, an excruciating silence halts the crowd.

http://mg.co.za/article/2012-05-14-a-film-about-unfreedom

Dear Mandela: A film about unfreedom

Dear Mandela charts the daily struggles and activism of three people who take up the cause of development and dignity within their communities.

On April 27, Freedom Day was marked throughout the country via political party rallies, NGO commemorations and thousands of now customary non-political braais. It is a national holiday that has come to signify something different to each and every South African.

http://www.witness.co.za/index.php?showcontent&global[_id]=80318

Homing in on the problem

by Estelle Sinkings

A SHACK is still a home — and one community’s courageous fight for the right to continue living in their makeshift dwellings is captured in the moving documentary Dear Mandela.

Winner of the best South African documentary award at the 2011 Durban International Film Festival and a nominee for best documentary at the recent African­ Academy Awards, the film was written, directed and produced by Dara Kell and Christopher Nizza, who are based in New York.

http://www.themercury.co.za/inspiring-movie-centred-on-forced-removals-1.1105927

Inspiring movie centred on forced removals

July 26 2011 at 10:36am

A documentary that shines light on unconstitutional forced evictions and a new generation of born-free struggle leaders, is to be seen today as part of the 32nd Durban International Film Festival.

Dear Mandela explores the inspiring story behind Abahlali BaseMjondolo, the largest movement of the poor to emerge in post-apartheid South Africa.