In this episode, US screenwriter Richard Wesley joins host Andile Ndlovu to reflect on the making of the 1997 Showtime film “Mandela and De Klerk”, starring Sidney Poitier and Michael Caine — a production that remains one of the most debated depictions of South Africa's transition to democracy.
Wesley opens up about how he was approached to write the film, the research process he undertook, and what it meant to tell such a monumental story from abroad. He also addresses the backlash the film faced — particularly for being unauthorised and for casting foreign leads — and why, nearly 30 years later, the debate over who gets to tell Mandela’s story still resonates.
This is an episode about authorship, legacy, representation, and reckoning with history through art.
🎧 Topics Covered:
How Richard Wesley came to write Mandela and De Klerk
Meeting (or not meeting) Sidney Poitier and Michael Caine
The backlash from South African audiences and the ANC
Competing with Anant Singh’s “Long Walk to Freedom”
Why Wesley stands by his work — and what he might do differently today
Reflections on authorship and storytelling across borders
Listen now and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Instagram: @phuckyoairbrush
Please reach out via email: andile.1987@gmail.com
