Nelson Mandela’s life story is to be turned into a television mini-series, entitled “Madiba”. Mandela has given his personal approval for a series that will follow six decades of his life, but there’s been no word yet as to whether or not Matt Damon or Morgan Freeman will be involved.

“Madiba” will comprise of a six-hour mini-series with an estimated budget of R165 million. Production will begin later this year.

South Africa will also feature as the primary location for filming, which should further boost local industry.

It will be written by British novelist, screenwriter and playwright, Nigel Williams, who was responsible for Elizabeth I, starring Helen Mirren.

Kweku Mandela, Mandela’s grandson, and two British filmmakers, Andy Harries and Marigo Kehoe, who were both involved with The Queen and The Damned United, will co-produce the series through their production company, Left Bank Pictures.

They’re currently holding discussions with broadcasters in the UK and US.

The script is to be based on two books, including the autobiographical Conversations with Myself, and Nelson Mandela By Himself, which will allow the use of authorised quotations.

They’ll also have access to the archives of the Nelson Mandela Foundation for the duration of the project.

Andy Harries said:

There is a whole generation of people who weren’t even born when Nelson Mandela finally walked free from prison after 27 years in captivity in the early 1990s. His story is one that they need to know.

[A] quality six-hour TV series with a budget of over $3 million an hour will be able to give the story the space and breadth it needs.

Kweku Mandela added that this project would not just be another “Mandela the saint” series, but would examine the many characters who helped shape his life story.

[Source: Guardian]