Jennifer Hudson and Terrence Howard portray South African Civil Rights icons Winnie and Nelson Mandela in “Winnie.” Photo courtesy of IMDB.com.

The biopic “Winnie Mandela” is scheduled to premiere in U.S. theaters on September 6, two years after completion and a year after being first shown in Canada, according to this article on the Shadow and Act website.

The film, which stars Jennifer Hudson and Terrence Howard, follows the life of Winnie Mandela, the ex-wife of South African civil rights leader and former President Nelson Mandela.

Although Winnie Mandela, 76, played an integral role in ending white minority rule in South Africa while her husband was imprisoned, she later became a controversial figure.

For instance, she was implicated in the kidnapping and murder of 14-year-old James Seipei and has been found guilty of fraud and theft.

What many do not know is that Mandela, who is now a member of South Africa’s parliament, began her career as a social worker.

Mandela earned a social work degree at Jan Hofmeyer School in Johannesburg. The Jan Hofmeyer School was the first to train black social workers in South Africa.

She was also the first black person to work as a social worker at Baragwanath Hospital in Johannesburg.

Winnie Mandela has criticized the film because she said the director and writers did not consult her.

Some South Africans are also displeased American actors portray the Mandelas, although filmmakers said they decided to use Oscar winner Hudson and Howard to attract investors to the project.

“Winnie” premiered in Canada in October. SocialWorkersSpeak.org is contacting the Image Entertainment, the U.S. distributor of the film, to determine if Mandela’s social work career will be depicted.