Tainted Heroes (2016)
The ANC and the struggle for power in South Africa
Tainted Heroes tells the story of how the African National Congress (ANC) – once a marginalised organisation within the South African political landscape – rose to power in the aftermath of the Soweto Uprisings in 1976. The documentary deals with the organisation’s military training received in various African countries as well as the lesser known story of how the ANC underwent strategic training in Vietnam to implement a so-called people’s war strategy against its rival organisations. This was especially implemented against the organisation’s former ally, Inkatha, led by Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi. The film explains how the ANC successfully implemented a predetermined programme of violence, fear and propaganda to eliminate political rivals and establish itself as the sole representative of black aspirations in South Africa. It illuminates how the ANC’s armed struggle was more a struggle against black rival organisations than against the apartheid system.
- Date of release
- 2016-01-18
- Runtime
- 1h 55m
- Genres
- Documentary
- Director
- Elrich Yssel
Casting
- Katlego Chale — Self (re-enactment)
- Anthea Jeffery — Self
- Johan Velde van der Merwe — Self
- Mangosuthu Buthelezi — Self
- Siphiwe Nyanda — Self
- Yuri N. Maltsev — Self
- Hermann Giliomee — Self
- Constand Viljoen — Self
- Strike Thokoane — Self
- Tony Leon — Self
- Ronnie Kasrils — Self
- Dave Steward — Self
Recommended
- Crips and Bloods: Made in America 2009 · ★ 6.6
- Bruce Lee, the Legend 1984 · ★ 7.9
- Sidney 2022 · ★ 6.9
- Room 237 2012 · ★ 6.1
- Above Majestic 2018 · ★ 7.4
- The Curse of the Dragon 1993 · ★ 7.2
- Fuck 2006 · ★ 6.4
- Marvel Studios Assembled: The Making of Hawkeye 2022 · ★ 7.2
- Come See Me in the Good Light 2025 · ★ 7.1
- A Toxic Love Story 2026 · ★ 6.4
- My Mom Jayne 2025 · ★ 8.0
- Avatar: The Deep Dive - A Special Edition of 20/20 2022 · ★ 7.2