Tuesday 8 June 9.00-10.00pm BBC THREE

Nelson Mandela is one of the world’s most revered statesmen, who led the struggle to replace the apartheid regime of South Africa with a multi-racial democracy. Considered an icon by many, celebrities around the world queue up to be photographed with him.

In the build-up to the World Cup in South Africa, Being Human actress Lenora Crichlow discovers the story of how Mandela brought peace to his country and what he means to people there today.

In a journey packed with emotion, Lenora meets members of Mandela’s family, goes on a night patrol with armed police in one of Johannesburg’s most volatile townships and meets a white Afrikaner who wants to see a new separate homeland for Afrikaners. She also visits the prison on Robben Island where Mandela was locked up for most of the 27 years he spent in jail. Although many see Mandela as a hero, Lenora also talks to critics who believe he betrayed the struggle.

Lenora uncovers a far more complex and fascinating picture of Mandela and his country than she ever imagined. On her journey to unlock the secret of who Mandela really is, she discovers a vibrant Rainbow Nation, but also learns more about the horrors of apartheid and the extent of poverty and violence in the country today.