The film rights to Nelson Mandela’s bestselling biography, Long Walk to Freedom, have been sold to South African film producer, Anant Singh.

This is the same man who produced such gems as:

• Mr Bones
• Mr Bones 2: Back from the Past
• Mama Jack
• Wulin Warriors: Legend of the Seven Stars

So prospects are looking good on the filmic integrity front.

That said, it wouldn’t be fair to omit that Singh has also produced the Oscar-winning locally produced drama, Yesterday.

But the international arms deal investors that Singh has lined up may end up being the actual focal point of this story.

This, from News24:

City Press revealed on Sunday that Ferrostaal – a successful bidder in a R6bn submarine contract as part of the controversial arms deal, and which is being investigated in Germany, Greece and Portugal – is an investor in the Nobel Peace Prize laureate’s movie.

In March this year Ferrostaal, formerly MAN Ferrostaal, made headlines in Germany when Der Spiegel published allegations by a former executive of MAN, its parent company, that Ferrostaal was suspected of paying bribes to secure contracts. Ferrostaal also allegedly organised bribery payments on behalf of other firms for a fee. Ferrostaal’s Germany offices were raided as a result.

Right. So these are the kinds of investors that expect kickbacks. I wonder what the investors have in mind in terms of product placement? I’m thinking a freshly-liberated Madiba could roll into Cape Town straddling a nuclear sub.

Use, don’t use it, Anant.