Netflix is giving audiences a powerful reason to mark their calendars: the official trailer for the seven-part documentary series The Trials of Winnie Mandela has officially dropped. The release lands on the eighth anniversary of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela’s passing, a moment that invites reflection on the life of one of South Africa’s most complex and influential figures.
Directed by the late, two-time Emmy-winning filmmaker Mandy Jacobson, the series takes viewers on an intimate journey through the eyes of Winnie’s granddaughters, HRH Princess Zaziwe Manaway (née Dlamini) and HRH Princess Swati Mandela-Dlamini, the latter also serving as a producer. Together, they attempt to capture the essence of their grandmother—affectionately called “Big Mommy”—weaving personal memories, family stories, and public history into a layered portrait of the woman behind the headlines.
Audiences will hear Winnie in her own words, reflecting on her childhood, activism, and her roles as wife, mother, and comrade. The series doesn’t shy away from controversy, tackling the scandals that shaped her public image alongside the relentless persecution she endured under apartheid. By including voices of her detractors, the documentary paints a fuller picture of a life lived under intense scrutiny—a life that inspired both reverence and critique.
Prominent figures appear throughout the series, adding context to Winnie’s legacy: former Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke, former President Kgalema Motlanthe, anti-apartheid activist Dr. Nakedi Mathews Phosa, Advocate Thuli Madonsela, political analyst and writer Sisonke Msimang, human rights lawyer Yasmin Sooka, visual artists Nkululeko Mahlangu and Loyiso Mkize, newspaper editor Mondli Makhanya, and Winnie’s longtime personal assistant Zodwa Zwane.
The documentary also includes members of the infamous Nelson Mandela Football Club and family members of Siboniso Tshabalala and Stompie Moeketsi, reflecting on the wounds left by their deaths and Winnie’s involvement. These voices come together to explore both the historical significance and the enduring complexity of her legacy.
With never-before-seen footage from her later years and candid reflections from those who knew her best, The Trials of Winnie Mandela promises to be more than a biography—it’s an intimate, unflinching look at a global icon whose life remains both celebrated and debated.
The series premieres exclusively on Netflix on April 23, 2026.