Lead actor picked for Madiba role

The film of Nelson Mandela’s autobiography Long Walk to Freedom is finally going into production.

And British actor Idris Elba has revealed that he is set to play the former South African president.

However, Anant Singh’s production house Videovision wouldn’t confirm that the rising star will get the iconic role.

Despite the Golden Globe winner sharing his good news with entertainment site Hip Hollywood, Videovision doesn’t want to talk until Elba has signed on the dotted line.

Casting agent Moonyeenn Lee reveals that almost all of the film’s other roles will be played by local actors – including the role of Mandela at the ages of seven and 16, as well as the actress who will play Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.

Meanwhile, Mabutho Kid Sithole, president of the Creative Workers Union of SA, is unhappy that foreign actors are once again preferred to play lead roles in movies about South Africa.

“There’s always some reason to avoid using South African actors and having other people tell our stories,” he says.

“You tell me now, how will this actor pronounce Qunu, where Mandela was born, or Rolihlahla, his real name?” - Daily Voice