Over the past two months, I’ve been creating politically intense videos. This week, I decided to switch things up and do something light-hearted. Since it’s Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela’s birthday tomorrow, I thought it would be fun to explore a quirky conspiracy theory that some South Africans believe: that he died in prison.

More videos on other platforms:

• On TikTok for short, fun explainers: http://tiktok.com/@mzansiexplained/
• On Instagram for more visual content: http://instagram.com/mzansiexplained
• On X for thoughts and curated news: http://twitter.com/mzansiexplained

Readings:
• Did the ‘real’ Nelson Mandela really die in 1985? Embracing the Global Media and Information Literacy week
https://www.nelsonmandela.org/news/entry/did-the-real-nelson-mandela-really-die-in-1985
• Who is Gibson Makanda? Age, Pictures, History, Conspiracy, Occupation
https://briefly.co.za/facts-lifehacks/bizarre-facts/120312-who-gibson-makanda-age-pictures-history-conspiracy-occupation-net-worth/
• Mandela’s mole moved? No, photo flipped
https://africacheck.org/fact-checks/meta-programme-fact-checks/mandelas-mole-moved-no-photo-flipped
• Political Struggle Is the Answer — Not Conspiracy Theories
https://jacobin.com/2020/01/conspiracy-theories-nelson-mandela-anc-south-africa