November 18, 2009

Source: Variety

Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson ('Dreamgirls') has been tapped to play Winnie Mandela, the former wife of South Africa's first black president, Nelson Mandela.

Variety reports that the former American Idol contestant will play the title role in the film, 'Winnie.' Production is to begin May 30 in the South African locations of Johannesburg, Cape Town, Transkei and Robben Island, where the future president spent 18 of his 27 years in prison.

The Chicago native, who won a Grammy award this year for her self-titled debut album, is also expected to sing the theme song.

The film will be directed by Darrell J. Roodt, from a script based on the Anne Marie du Preez Bezdrob biography 'Winnie Mandela:A Life.'

"I was compelled and moved when I read the script," Hudson said. "Winnie Mandela is a complex and extraordinary woman and I'm honored to be the actress asked to portray her. This is a powerful part of history that should be told."

Coincidentally, another Oscar winner, Morgan Freeman will be playing Nelson Mandela in 'Invictus,' which opens on Dec. 11. Sophie Okonedo is also set to portray Winnie Mandela in the BBC drama 'Mrs Mandela.'

At 72, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela is still a popular figure in South African politics despite her 1991 conviction for involvement in the kidnapping, assault and death of a 14-year-old alleged informer. She and Nelson Mandela had been married for only a year before he was forced into hiding and then imprisoned in 1962 – he would only be freed in 1990. She was deputy minister of arts, culture, science and technology in the first post-apartheid government for 11 months, until allegations of corruption led to her dismissal.