Twelve Disciples of Nelson Mandela is the title of the extraordinary documentary that will air at the Atlanta-Fulton Central Library Auditorium on Sunday, July 18th 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. as part of SankofaSpirit’s Movies with a Mission program. The film follows Thomas Allen Harris, the writer and director of this movie, in the wake of his stepfather’s death. That stepfather, B. Pule Lee Leinaeng, along with eleven comrades, had left his home in Bloemfontein, South Africa in 1960. The group of twelve spoke out against the white racist system of apartheid then in effect in their homeland. They also raised money for Nelson Mandela and the organization that he headed, the African National Congress, which had been formed to overthrow apartheid. A review by Eddie Cockrell published in Variety states that for audiences only vaguely aware of the details of the ANC’s gestation and Nelson Mandela’s place in the org[anization], [this] work places the rocky history in detailed context. More knowledgeable viewers will appreciate the rare footage and clippings uncovered by Harris. An article by Curt Holman that appeared in metro Atlanta’s own Creative Loafing says, Disciples stands out by celebrating the rank-and-file agitators. Lee and several compatriots from the city of Bloemfontein agitated against apartheid until 1960, when it was decided that they would do more good for the cause from outside the increasingly dangerous environment. The film features fascinating anecdotes, like the disciples’ using a singing group as a cover story, and later journeying overland across Africa. One survivor describes meeting Mandela the Scarlet Pimpernel’ a month before their leader’s arrest and 27-year imprisonment. Holman concludes that the film’s message is ultimately optimistic: Twelve Disciples of Nelson Mandela conveys faith that Africa can slowly rise above its problems by taking them one disciple at a time. The Atlanta-Fulton Central Library is located at 1 Margaret Mitchell Square in northwest Atlanta. For more information, call 770-234-5890, email info@sankofaspirit.com or visit online at sankofaspirit.com. One may also write: SankofaSpirit; P.O. Box 54894; Atlanta, GA 30308.
