Academy and Grammy award winner Jennifer Hudson will star in a new film titled “Winnie.” She will play Winnie Mandela, the former wife of South Africa’s first black president Nelson Mandela.
Jennifer Hudson won a Grammy award for her self-titled debut album “Jennifer Hudson” which was released in 2008. She is no stranger to acting and won an Oscar award for her portrayal of “Effie” in the movie “Dreamgirls.”
The upcoming film’s script is based on a book by Anne Marie du Preez Bezdrop titled “Winnie Mandela: A Life.” It’s an autobiography about Winnie Mandela’s courage, leadership and controversial involvements in the struggle against apartheid in South Africa. Hudson is also set to sing the theme song to the movie.
The production of the film will begin in May 2010 and shooting locations will include Cape Town, Johannesburg and Robben Island, which is best known as the place where President Nelson Mandela was held prisoner for 18 years.
Earlier this year the production was rife with controversy as South African actors protested the use of a foreigner to showcase a South African political icon. Despite the protests, Jennifer Hudson will bring attention to a story that needs to be told.
Written by Sam Zungu
