'' Have You Heard from Johannesburg '' is a series of seven documentary films , with a total runtime of 8.5 hours , covering the 45-year struggle of the global anti-apartheid movement against South Africa 's apartheid system and its international supporters who considered them an ally in the Cold War . The combined films have an epic scope , spanning most of the globe over half a century . Beginning with the very first session of the United Nations , and ending in 1990 – when , after 27 years in prison , Nelson Mandela , the best known leader of the African National Congress toured the world , a free man . Produced and directed by Connie Field , it includes other events such as the Sharpeville massacre , the Soweto uprising , the murder of Steve Biko , and covers the role of some people less well known outside South Africa than Nelson Mandela , such as African National Congress leader Oliver Tambo . The title comes from the lyrics of the Gil Scott-Heron song " Johannesburg "
Soweto uprising
Soweto uprising
Have You Heard from Johannesburg?