Documentary Review – Miracle Rising: South Africa
The documentary explores the journey that South Africa has gone through, from eras characterized by apartheid to a new form of democracy that is taking shape in the country. The narration of the film takes a political approach where the voices of world leaders, politicians, journalists and celebrities are giving an account of their inspiring journey through apartheid and democracy. The documentary is a testament to the political accomplishments that South Africa has made in more than the last five decades.
According to the narrators of the film, the people of South Africa, despite their status found compassion on their own account. The compassion can be observed as the responsible factor for the country avoiding civil war. A majority of the communities managed to reach an amicable forgiveness point which the population sees as a step aimed at the good of the society. The circumstances also bring about some of the crucial decisions, tragedies and audacious leaps of faith that brought forth a reality that seemed impossible.
Key figures who are previewed in the film as having played major parts in the transformation of the country include Nelson Mandela, Ruth First, Stephen Biko, Phila Portia Ndwande and Chris Hani. The anti-apartheid leaders made significant contributions to the establishment of democracy that is viewed through the 1994 elections in the country. Nelson Mandela was elected as the president to steer the country through a transition period where the whites relinquished power to Africans to establish self-rule. During the time, Archbishop Tutu is credited with coining the phrase “a rainbow nation” to mean the transformation of South Africa past apartheid and holding the first fully democratic elections.
The narrations in the documentary show events behind the scenes before the national elections in South Africa. The polls are amidst struggles to strike a balance in a regime that has been previously hugely discriminated. Although the joyful inauguration of Nelson Mandela as the president takes place, the men and women who fought hard to unite the country are holding the democratic pillars of the country. The documentary delves into the roles that the men and women play, sacrifices made towards contributing to the wellbeing of the country. The film shows a determined leadership style as portrayed by Nelson Mandela, who chose to learn Afrikaans while incarcerated. The sacrifices were made to bring enemies together and form a united nation after the elections.
The main message that Nelson Mandela came with from prison asserts on a forgiving nation. According to the documentary, Mandela was jailed for 27 years. His crimes were inciting workers to strike as well as travelling without valid documents. However, when coming out of prison, he asserts that the people are still angry due to the atrocities that took place for years. But the rage and anger is not an excuse that will prelude the people from forgiving. This is the message that the world vehemently needs to remember in forging the way forward. Hence, Mandela, also known as Mandiba, rose to become the first black president in South Africa.
In the documentary, the main target is for the viewers to learn of the efforts that were made against apartheid. Although the movement took place only in South Africa, communities around the world came out in support for the efforts to end a discriminatory regime. Efforts made include other countries boycotting South Africa until the country establishes change on its laws that trickle down to the citizens. In conclusion, the documentary is a record of events that saw the rise and fall of a regime that the whole world was not ready to accommodate. In the documentary, the major contributors to the end of the rule are observed as heroes and heroines of the nation.