CNBC Africa exclusively Premiers LILIESLEAF Documentary

Tue, 20 Jul 2010

While South Africa and the world celebrates the week of Nelson Mandela’s birthday CNBC Africa offers a glimpse into a Johannesburg house that was instrumental in Madiba’s early political life. Liliesleaf - The Untold Story premiers on CNBC Africa on 24 July 2010 at 8 PM. The highly anticipated documentary series was produced in conjunction with the Liliesleaf Trust and is sponsored by Telkom.

For the first time on television, CNBC Africa reveals the captivating story of a house of mystery, where revolutionaries changed the course of South African history. The untold stories of Liliesleaf are revealed in this captivating documentary, exclusively on CNBC Africa.

CNBC Africa has produced a three hour, three-part documentary series that captures the workings of the political underground which used Liliesleaf as a safe house in the dangerous days of the 1960’s. It was a safe house used by Nelson Mandela; who posed as a gardener; Govan Mbeki, Walter Sisulu and Ahmed Kathrada. The series is packed with first-hand accounts of the shadowy days of the underground leading up to the infamous raid on the Liliesleaf Farm, and the subsequent Rivonia trial.

Rakesh Wahi, Vice Chairman of CNBC Africa, who conceived this project with Liliesleaf, is pleased to be launching the documentary. “Liliesleaf is an integral part of the South African struggle for independence and CNBC Africa is indeed proud to be associated with this historic project. It’s our greatest pleasure to present this piece of history to the people of Africa, particularly South Africa,” says Wahi.

Comments journalist Chris Bishop, producer of Liliesleaf – The Untold Story, “This was a herculean task that took nearly a year to complete. I felt we have captured some very important human stories in South Africa’s history. It is the kind of documentary that should be shown to anyone who wants to learn how this country was liberated. I am going to show it to my children and I hope many other people will do the same.”

”As a group that facilitates communication and information, we are proud to be involved with a project that tells this story. We trust it will create understanding and contribute to cementing the homogeneity so prevalent in South Africa after the successful hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup,” says Telkom, official sponsor of the premier of the Liliesleaf – The Untold Story.

The first part of the documentary is scheduled to air on CNBC Africa, DStv Channel 410 on 24 July 2010 8PM (CAT). Episode 2 will premier on the 31 July 2010 at 8PM (CAT), and the final part of the documentary will air on the 7 August 2010, 8PM (CAT).

ABOUT LILIESLEAF

Liliesleaf, situated in residential Rivonia, is now an insightful and interactive museum experience which honours South Africa’s remarkable heritage and the impressive trajectory of South Africa’s socio-political past. It holds a position of esteem among struggle landmarks in South Africa.

Liliesleaf Farm was purchased by the South African Communist Party (SACP) in 1961, evolved into the Headquarters of Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), the African National Congress (ANC) military wing, translated as ‘the spear of the nation’. The farm was used not only as the High Command of MK, but also as a hideaway and meeting place for the ANC and Congress Alliance senior members.

Liliesleaf is uniquely connected with the Rivonia trial - which came to represent the essence of the liberation struggle and focused world attention on South Africa. The media surrounding the trial and the harsh sentencing of the accused catapulted the atrocities of South Africa onto the international stage. The trialists became international icons of a struggle against an oppressive regime.

At the Rivonia Trialist Reunion held at Liliesleaf in December 2001 President Thabo Mbeki announced the establishment of the Liliesleaf Trust. The Trust aims to ensure that the unique heritage, history and legacy of Liliesleaf Farm are preserved for future generations.

Liliesleaf reopened its doors to the public on 09 June 2008 to a very different socio-political landscape and showcased the story of South Africa's transformation to a very diverse audience. Manor house, Thatched Cottage and the outbuildings function as a walk-through museum, with interactive touch-screen material to lead visitors through the footsteps of the political revolutionaries who showed South Africa the doorway to ‘Unity in Diversity’.