After her appointment in 2009 to the office of Public Protector, Thuli Madonsela quickly commanded nationwide respect and admiration for her ethical work that helped neglected citizens and the poor. However, Madonsela faces a severe backlash when she investigates the most powerful man in the country, President Jacob Zuma, who has been accused of massive illegal public spending on his private home. A bitter four-year battle sharply divides South Africa's political elite when Zuma refuses to abide by Madonsela’s ruling and pay back public money. The film follows her last year serving as South Africa’s Public Protector and her dramatic race against time to complete her investigation in the face of violent protests, court interdicts, political and personal attacks, and death threats. The result is not only a portrait of a remarkably steadfast woman, but a deeper and more personal portrayal of her family and the difficulties they face while seeking justice in a country still coming to terms with its apartheid past. Heather Haynes
Co-presented with Toronto South African Film Festival.