- The story of how the world came to focus on a single cause - ending the Apartheid regime in South Africa - and the role played in this by two star-studded global television broadcasts made in the name of Nelson Mandela in 1988 and 1990.
- The film examines the background to the two global television broadcasts that were staged in the name of Nelson Mandela in 1988 (while he was still in prison on Robben Island) and 1990 (less than two months after his release), as well as the role they played in the struggle to end the Apartheid system, and illustrates how they were possible only because they could build on the 40-year work of the international solidarity movement.—neil@tribute3ml.com
- One Humanity tells the story of how the world came to focus on the ending of the apartheid regime in South Africa, and the role played in this process by two star-studded concerts that were broadcast around the world in 1988 and 1990. The film explores how these added to the pressure on the South African government, which was weakened by a series of uprisings within the country, the erosion of western support and the end of the Cold War. And how this led to the countrys first-ever democratic elections in April 1994.
The story is multi-layered and gives voice to the history of the global anti-apartheid movement, told by those who were intimately involved. There are contributions from leading South African politicians including President Jacob Zuma, Frene Ginwala, Pallo Jordan, Mac Maharaj, Baleka Mbete, Essop Pahad and Amb. Abdul Minty, as well as from British politicians Peter Hain MP, Lord Neil Kinnock, The Rt. Hon. Richard Caborn and Lord Robert Hughes.
Other participants include Alan Yentob, then the controller of BBC2, which broadcast the whole of the first of the two concerts, Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute, in June 1988. US interviewees include Ron Dellums, former Congressman and mayor of Oakland, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, the legendary civil rights activist, and E.S. Reddy, who set up and chaired the UN committee against Apartheid.
The contributions from these key figures illuminate a story of vision, strategy, empathy and hope. And are complemented by wonderful performances or interviews from Annie Lennox, Whoopi Goldberg, Steven Van Zandt, Sting, Mark Knopfler, Eric Clapton, Chrissie Hynde, Ali Campbell, Joan Armatrading, The Manhattan Brothers, Chubby Checker, Jackson Browne, Natalie Cole, Patti LaBelle, Stetsasonic, Jonas Gwangwa, Gil Scott Heron, Aswad, Sly & Robbie, Bonnie Raitt, Mahotella Queens, Caiphus Semenya, Letta Mbula and Whitney Houston.
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