S. Africa says no; they want JHud to go

South African actors want to stop Oscar-winner Jennifer Hudson from playing former South African President Nelson Mandela's wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela in a new film. Members of the film union say casting a foreigner in such a large role undermines efforts to develop the national fim industry. The film will be directed by South African film-maker Darrell J. Roodt, whose films include "Cry, The Beloved Country" and "Sarafina."

Winnie Madikizela-Mandela continued her husband's political activism during his 27-year stint as a political prisoner and campaigned tirelessly for his release. She separated from Nelson Mandela in 1992, two years after his release from prison. Her image was tarnished by a series of scandals including her links to the kidnap and murder of a young activist and a 2003 conviction for fraud.

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Jennifer Hudson to play Winnie Mandela?

According to Roger Friedman's Showbiz 411, Oscar and Grammy winner Jennifer Hudson’s supercharged appearance Tuesday night at Denise Rich’s annual Angel Ball gave rise to talk about her next project.

Hudson, who won the Academy Award for “Dreamgirls” and was so good in “The Secret Life of Bees,” is now rumored to be in talks for an indie biopic about South African leader Winnie Mandela. Winnie was a winner during her years as wife of Nelson Mandela during his 27-years of illegal incarceration. But in later years she lost her way, getting into legal trouble and becoming a pariah. She and Mandela have been divorced for some time.

The word is that either the terrific Derek Luke or actor Idris Elba might be up for the part of Nelson Mandela. Details are still sketchy.

Winnie Mandela is all of a sudden a hot topic in movies. This summer, Oscar nominee Sophie Okenedo played Winnie in a BBC film.

Nelson Mandela is 91 Today

Happy Mandela Day!
Tonight, to celebrate the anti-apartheid activist and former South African president's birthday, Radio City Music Hall in New York will present a star-studded show. Pop music royalty like Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin will be there. So will current day stars like Alicia Keys, Queen Latifah, Wyclef Jean and Will.i.am. Whoopi Goldberg will host. Others on the bill include Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, the first lady of France, Josh Groban,Angelique Kidjo,Gloria Gaynor and the Soweto Gospel Choir. Mandela is not expected to attend.