Rotten Tomatoes
Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

Season 1 – The Trials of Winnie Mandela

Play trailer Season 1 – The Trials of Winnie Mandela Apr 2026 Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
Tomatometer 0 Reviews Popcornmeter 0 Ratings
South African icon Winnie Mandela's legacy as a freedom fighter, mother, wife and enigma is examined by her granddaughters.
The Trials of Winnie Mandela — Season 1

My Rating

Read More Read Less WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW POST RATING

Cast & Crew

View All

Mandy Jacobson

Director

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Apr 23, 2026 Chapter 1: Mrs Mandela -- The Wife of Nelson Mandela (1936 - 1976) Winnie Madikizela-Mandela dies and South Africa is divided over how she should be remembered; as the nation mourns and debates whether she was saint or sinner, the story returns to 1952. Details Episode 2 Aired Apr 23, 2026 Chapter 2: Zanyiwe -- To Be Tested (1977-1988) Banished to the white conservative town of Brandfort, Winnie is isolated from her family and the movement she represents; yet exile strengthens her myth; she becomes known around the world as the Mother of the Nation. Details Episode 3 Aired Apr 23, 2026 Chapter 3: Winnie -- Fair and Pure (1988 - 1989) Soweto descends into fear and chaos as the apartheid security police continue to stoke the fires of distrust and suspicion amongst the residents; vigilantes patrol the streets. Details Episode 4 Aired Apr 23, 2026 Chapter 4: Nobandla -- She Who Is of the People (1990 - 1996) Nelson Mandela walks free, Apartheid falls and becomes President of a democratic South Africa; Winnie faces a kidnapping charge and is linked to a romantic relationship with a young lawyer. Details Episode 5 Aired Apr 23, 2026 Chapter 5: Winifred -- Friend of Peace (1996 - 1997) In 1997, Winnie and members of the Mandela United Football Club are subpoenaed before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, chaired by Archbishop Desmond Tutu; for over a week, the nation listens to harrowing testimony. Details Episode 6 Aired Apr 23, 2026 Chapter 6: Nomzamo -- Mother of Endeavour (1998 - 2013) Winnie faces yet another trial, this time over fraud convictions; at the same time, she shares a meeting with unexpected old friends, former apartheid policeman Paul Erasmus, the man who once terrorised her. Details Episode 7 Aired Apr 23, 2026 Chapter 7: Winifred Nomzamo Zanyiwe Mandela Madikizela (2013 - 2018) Two decades after vanishing from Winnie's backyard, the remains of two activists are exhumed from an unmarked Soweto grave and returned to their families; no charges follow and Winnie denies involvement until her death five years later. Details

Season Info

Director
Mandy Jacobson
Network
Netflix
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date
Apr 23, 2026