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Good Morning, Mr. Mandela
Good Morning Mr. Mandela( A Memoir) Hardcover eldaLaGrange, VikingBooks
384 pages, Hardcover
First published November 2, 2014
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1469 people want to read
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June 28, 2016
This book, published in so many languages all over the world, becoming a bestseller overnight, brings insight into the behind-the-closed-doors life of one of the world's most beloved icons of all times.
The Guardian
As an inexperienced writer, adding a certain charm to this chronicle, she still manages to paint a complete picture of the colorful landscape surrounding the greatest South African of all times and does it respectfully.
Coming from a prejudiced background, and being young and stupid, as she admits, she lands in a situation which was unthinkable for a girl who did not even knew who Mr. Mandela was. He spent 27 years incarcerated for the terrorism acts he planned and executed, killing hundreds of innocent victims. He was the founder and head of the military wing, Umkonto Isizwe, of the African National Congress. Forming this murderous unit was his reaction to the violence against the black people by the South African Police of the Apartheid government.
Although the death sentence could have been his destiny, he was sentenced to life in prison on Robben Island. This prison was similar to Alcatraz in America. No photos or any other information about him was available. Nobody knew what he even looked like.
Zelda Le Grange provides insight into the man who had an iron fist and a compassionate heart.
She could have revealed a lot more about the man and the political dispensation in which he operated, but limited her memoir to the love for the man who changed her life for the good.
As a memoir it is a fascinating read of a secretary who had to give up her life and dreams to serve the one man who would become her mentor, grandfather, and life coach on all levels of personal development. She spent 19 years of her life in his service. It was, she writes, a "co-dependency" – "my need to please fitted with his need for absolute loyalty". It is a fiercely honest account of her emotional metamorphosis – from a conservative and prejudiced white racist South African, into a tolerant, caring human being.
As the political landscape of South Africa enfolds, it is clear why she chose this approach to her memoir. Resentment from both the conservative white Afrikaner community(and not the majority of white Afrikaners), as well as the dangerous elements in the new government, the latter acting more like a Communist murder squad than a legitimate government, she clearly knew where the boundaries were drawn for her to survive. In the process she lost many friends but made a million new ones. She is aware of the dangers she faces, yet shares her memories with a guts and love she learnt from her beloved Kulu ('Grandfather'in Xhosa), as she called Mr. Mandela.
The only gripe I have with this book, losing a star as a result, is the absence of serious editing, which should be laid at the feet of the publishers. The impression is created that this book was rushed off into the world without proper professional work done on it. It could have been much much more than was offered to the readers. Judging from the world wide sales, it is unclear why the text was not handled with more attention to detail. It deserved better!
However, Zelda Le Grange presents a beautiful memory to the global village which touches the hearts and minds of all the readers who loved Nelson Mandela. She leaves us all a better person as a result.
A captivating read filled with life's lessons in forgiveness, emotional journeys, underlying truths and survival in a colorful world.
What a beautiful footprint she leaves behind~!
The Guardian
Nelson Mandela was a master of the art of political gesture, particularly when it came to racial reconciliation in South Africa. He wore the Springbok captain's jersey at the Rugby World Cup in 1995, he invited his former oppressors to tea, and he made a point of selecting a young Afrikaner as his personal secretary. Her name was Zelda la Grange: she was 23 when he discovered her working as a junior typist in his presidential office, and she would become his manager, his gatekeeper, his confidante and the person to whom he was perhaps closest, after his wife Graça Machel.Zelda Le Grange approaches her experiences with a warm heart and an open mind and discusses events with a fearless honesty. She takes on the greed, jealousy, hidden agendas and cruelty of the government officials who could not wait for Mr. Mandela to die. She exposes the vultures in his family who could not wait for him to pass away so that they could lay their hands on the bounty. Some members of his family planned his funeral for 8 years while he was still alive and frantically touring around the world and changing the lives of millions of people.
As an inexperienced writer, adding a certain charm to this chronicle, she still manages to paint a complete picture of the colorful landscape surrounding the greatest South African of all times and does it respectfully.
Coming from a prejudiced background, and being young and stupid, as she admits, she lands in a situation which was unthinkable for a girl who did not even knew who Mr. Mandela was. He spent 27 years incarcerated for the terrorism acts he planned and executed, killing hundreds of innocent victims. He was the founder and head of the military wing, Umkonto Isizwe, of the African National Congress. Forming this murderous unit was his reaction to the violence against the black people by the South African Police of the Apartheid government.
Although the death sentence could have been his destiny, he was sentenced to life in prison on Robben Island. This prison was similar to Alcatraz in America. No photos or any other information about him was available. Nobody knew what he even looked like.
Zelda Le Grange provides insight into the man who had an iron fist and a compassionate heart.
In Conversations With Myself, Madiba wrote in a letter to Winnie Mandela on 9 December 1979:
We are told that a saint is a sinner who keeps on trying to be clean. One may be a villain for 3/4 of his life and be canonized because he lived a holy life for the remaining 1/4 of that life. In real life we deal, not with gods, but with ordinary humans like ourselves: men and women who are full of contradictions, who are stable and fickle, strong and weak, famous and infamous, people in whose bloodstream the muckworm battles daily with potent pesticides.
She could have revealed a lot more about the man and the political dispensation in which he operated, but limited her memoir to the love for the man who changed her life for the good.
As a memoir it is a fascinating read of a secretary who had to give up her life and dreams to serve the one man who would become her mentor, grandfather, and life coach on all levels of personal development. She spent 19 years of her life in his service. It was, she writes, a "co-dependency" – "my need to please fitted with his need for absolute loyalty". It is a fiercely honest account of her emotional metamorphosis – from a conservative and prejudiced white racist South African, into a tolerant, caring human being.
As the political landscape of South Africa enfolds, it is clear why she chose this approach to her memoir. Resentment from both the conservative white Afrikaner community(and not the majority of white Afrikaners), as well as the dangerous elements in the new government, the latter acting more like a Communist murder squad than a legitimate government, she clearly knew where the boundaries were drawn for her to survive. In the process she lost many friends but made a million new ones. She is aware of the dangers she faces, yet shares her memories with a guts and love she learnt from her beloved Kulu ('Grandfather'in Xhosa), as she called Mr. Mandela.
The only gripe I have with this book, losing a star as a result, is the absence of serious editing, which should be laid at the feet of the publishers. The impression is created that this book was rushed off into the world without proper professional work done on it. It could have been much much more than was offered to the readers. Judging from the world wide sales, it is unclear why the text was not handled with more attention to detail. It deserved better!
However, Zelda Le Grange presents a beautiful memory to the global village which touches the hearts and minds of all the readers who loved Nelson Mandela. She leaves us all a better person as a result.
A captivating read filled with life's lessons in forgiveness, emotional journeys, underlying truths and survival in a colorful world.
What a beautiful footprint she leaves behind~!
July 27, 2014
this is an absolutely incredible story - i finished this book a few minutes ago and I stand in awe. I
i am an open-minded person, and let others be, and respect different opinions, but I'm staying clear from any criticism of the book, including how "badly it was written". I'm sure the book was also not written to receive accolades and prizes for the way it was written. it tells the most amazing story, which is one of the greatest miracles ever.
i am an open-minded person, and let others be, and respect different opinions, but I'm staying clear from any criticism of the book, including how "badly it was written". I'm sure the book was also not written to receive accolades and prizes for the way it was written. it tells the most amazing story, which is one of the greatest miracles ever.
May 6, 2015
"...[w]henever no other excuse could be found for a problem, race is the easiest issue to blame." This is so true, especially with the major racism where I live where all whites, from any country or culture in the world are to be blamed for whatever the problem is,
That is not to say there isn't white racism too. There is. But it isn't the blunt self-justification, expecting support from the crowd that black against white racism is here, these days.
Ahmed Kathrada, "Forgiveness is a choice." (Talking about Mandela). So true. I forget this. I can't be the first one to forget something. I hold on to it until the other person does.
Review to come. At some point. You know...
That is not to say there isn't white racism too. There is. But it isn't the blunt self-justification, expecting support from the crowd that black against white racism is here, these days.
Ahmed Kathrada, "Forgiveness is a choice." (Talking about Mandela). So true. I forget this. I can't be the first one to forget something. I hold on to it until the other person does.
Review to come. At some point. You know...
July 6, 2014
This very unusual and intimate portrait of Zelda la Grange’s time with Nelson Mandela as his personal secretary is as heartbreaking as it is memorable. Zeldina, as Madiba chose to call her, was applying for a typist job in the new ANC government in 1994 when word came that the President’s office needed a typist. A young, white Afrikaner, Zelda became the youngest of the rainbow staff that served the President. In time, she grew to manage his schedule and accompany him on trips abroad.
This book does tell us about Mandela, what he was like in person, and what he liked. But it is mostly about Zelda and how she managed Mandela’s hectic schedule during and after his presidency. She seems an exceptional person: focused, persistent, caring. Mandela came to rely on her to organize his life and to cater for his needs. It is nice to know there was someone willing and able to take that role for a man who had given so much to the world. “Professional co-dependency” is the phrase la Grange uses to describe their relationship.
Mandela comes across as a disciplined but gentle man, nevertheless with strong opinions and beliefs. Some lessons Mandela imparted to those he worked with I hope stay with me: “Remember, the way you approach someone will determine how that person reacts to you” and “a saint is a sinner who keeps on trying.” Willing to acknowledge his own errors, he forgave them in others, but he was also able and willing to cut off from his life those whom he felt did not have his interests at heart. Zelda comes across as a well-meaning, capable administrator and caregiver who had an immersive, full-on style. Madiba was her life and work.
One thing that has stayed with me long after reading this book is that la Grange often felt it necessary to explain to people what her job was--what she did all day. It was not hard for me to imagine the amount of energy, drive, intelligence, hutzpa, charm, and brazen bullishness it would require to make a famous person feel their international travel experiences were as seamless, smooth, and productive as possible. Her job is a perfect example of what I would use to demonstrate the incongruity of wage disparity in a country like the United States. The head of a corporation (or country, in this case) is only as good as the secretary organizing his schedule, travel plans, and obligations. Let's face it, we'd all look pretty good with a Zelda at our backs. But we're no Mandela.
La Grange was circumspect with what she revealed, but we do get a sense of great division and confusion at the end of Mandela’s life, for which we feel sorry. Despite his ‘great man’ status, Mandela could only keep the divisions among races and personalities in his sphere manageable while he was well and circulating regularly. As he became older, it sounds as though his lessons about forgiveness and generosity of spirit were lost on those he hoped to influence. Mandela was kind. Let’s hope his legacy is not completely lost for all time.
Viking Penguin offered me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book does tell us about Mandela, what he was like in person, and what he liked. But it is mostly about Zelda and how she managed Mandela’s hectic schedule during and after his presidency. She seems an exceptional person: focused, persistent, caring. Mandela came to rely on her to organize his life and to cater for his needs. It is nice to know there was someone willing and able to take that role for a man who had given so much to the world. “Professional co-dependency” is the phrase la Grange uses to describe their relationship.
Mandela comes across as a disciplined but gentle man, nevertheless with strong opinions and beliefs. Some lessons Mandela imparted to those he worked with I hope stay with me: “Remember, the way you approach someone will determine how that person reacts to you” and “a saint is a sinner who keeps on trying.” Willing to acknowledge his own errors, he forgave them in others, but he was also able and willing to cut off from his life those whom he felt did not have his interests at heart. Zelda comes across as a well-meaning, capable administrator and caregiver who had an immersive, full-on style. Madiba was her life and work.
One thing that has stayed with me long after reading this book is that la Grange often felt it necessary to explain to people what her job was--what she did all day. It was not hard for me to imagine the amount of energy, drive, intelligence, hutzpa, charm, and brazen bullishness it would require to make a famous person feel their international travel experiences were as seamless, smooth, and productive as possible. Her job is a perfect example of what I would use to demonstrate the incongruity of wage disparity in a country like the United States. The head of a corporation (or country, in this case) is only as good as the secretary organizing his schedule, travel plans, and obligations. Let's face it, we'd all look pretty good with a Zelda at our backs. But we're no Mandela.
La Grange was circumspect with what she revealed, but we do get a sense of great division and confusion at the end of Mandela’s life, for which we feel sorry. Despite his ‘great man’ status, Mandela could only keep the divisions among races and personalities in his sphere manageable while he was well and circulating regularly. As he became older, it sounds as though his lessons about forgiveness and generosity of spirit were lost on those he hoped to influence. Mandela was kind. Let’s hope his legacy is not completely lost for all time.
Viking Penguin offered me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 12, 2014
“I am not a saint, unless you think of a saint as a sinner who keeps on trying.” Nelson Mandela
3.5 stars. A wellwritten book about how Madiba changed many peoples lives, and in this case specifically his personal assistant, Zelda. I really liked that she wrote respectfully, but still manage to not only show us Mandela the great man, but also Mandela the human. The book gave a quick overview of South African politics. I find it very sad that a person could a peacebroker in so many countries, but not in his own family. Rest well Madiba, you will always be in our hearts.
3.5 stars. A wellwritten book about how Madiba changed many peoples lives, and in this case specifically his personal assistant, Zelda. I really liked that she wrote respectfully, but still manage to not only show us Mandela the great man, but also Mandela the human. The book gave a quick overview of South African politics. I find it very sad that a person could a peacebroker in so many countries, but not in his own family. Rest well Madiba, you will always be in our hearts.
April 17, 2016
An interesting read, but in need of a strong editor.
June 24, 2014
It was a major disappointment.
I really wanted to like this book. But it was long, boring, and poorly written. Don’t take my word for it, read an excerpt from the book:
“Madiba (as she calls Mr. Mandela) was always well groomed and took great care in making sure that his skin was well moisturized, and I remember how I sometimes had to struggle during his Presidency to get a particular lotion that was not available on the South African market at the time – simple Palmer’s Body Lotion that he used while he was imprisoned. I think the company may have stopped manufacturing it in South Africa for a while and we had to ask people in the United States to buy it in bulk and send it to us in South Africa. The same with the eye drops he preferred: Refresh Plus in the blue and white box.”
I bet you got bored and stopped reading before you got to the end. Now imagine 362 pages of that with a threat at the end that says, “To be continued . . . “
If you’d like to honor Mr. Mandela and his accomplishments, consider visiting his foundation at http://www.nelsonmandela.org. You’re money would be better spent there.
I really wanted to like this book. But it was long, boring, and poorly written. Don’t take my word for it, read an excerpt from the book:
“Madiba (as she calls Mr. Mandela) was always well groomed and took great care in making sure that his skin was well moisturized, and I remember how I sometimes had to struggle during his Presidency to get a particular lotion that was not available on the South African market at the time – simple Palmer’s Body Lotion that he used while he was imprisoned. I think the company may have stopped manufacturing it in South Africa for a while and we had to ask people in the United States to buy it in bulk and send it to us in South Africa. The same with the eye drops he preferred: Refresh Plus in the blue and white box.”
I bet you got bored and stopped reading before you got to the end. Now imagine 362 pages of that with a threat at the end that says, “To be continued . . . “
If you’d like to honor Mr. Mandela and his accomplishments, consider visiting his foundation at http://www.nelsonmandela.org. You’re money would be better spent there.
January 5, 2015
I am sorry that I didn't read this in the original Afrikaans, which might have made it seem less stilted. The book was extremely interesting, but not really well written, with a lot of repetition which was slightly tedious. Worth reading though, and gives a good indication of what South Africa was like for white South Africans before 1994.
July 22, 2014
Written with such love and compassion for Mr Mandela! The writing style is unmistakably amateur, but one needs to go beyond that. This is a very personal account of Zelda's relationship with Mr Mandela over her 18 years of dedicated service. There is naturally a lot left unsaid... As it should be. How awful for her to be treated so badly by some members of the family ... Brought tears to my eyes that years of devotion could be so easily overlooked. Interesting facts gleamed about the high profile people and some of the events we associate with Mr Mandela.
October 20, 2014
2.5 of 5 stars – Somewhat Informative but Ultimately Disappointing Account.
(I'm excited to have won this as a Goodreads First Read – so thanks!)
I’m a great admirer of Mr. Mandela, and wanted to read more about him, especially with this being a personal account, hoping I’d get more of an insider’s view and insight into the behind-the-scenes political, social, or even personal aspects of Mr. Mandela. Unfortunately this book falls a little short of that expectation. She does state upfront that this was not a tell all, etc., which is fine; but she takes that to the extreme and doesn’t deliver an expectation I got from the cover that this might provide some critical review, background on the political or social happenings, or indepth insight into who was Mr. Mandela.
Instead, this was a matter-of-fact, activity-to-activity listing of what happened chronologically, from her experiences and POV, without much extrapolation or insight to put things in context or provide deeper meaning or understanding (after 50 pages, I wondered if I can get through all 360+ pages this way – barely). It is telling that she describes herself as “so obsessed with doing more, that I probably missed some valuable opportunities to get a deeper understanding of what was historically happening around me.” This was evident throughout the book.
It did give an idea of what “ordinary people” saw, those who weren’t as involved, as well as gave more the operational/administrative side of things, only scratching the surface of events. I had to accept that she was not an introspective, big-picture, politically savvy or even initially curious person, but a detail person focused of execution, efficiency and looking out for her boss – a perfect complement to Mr. Mandela’s opposite style. While that’s not useful for storytelling, I give her credit and ultimately respect for her dedication (to the point of obsession), service and help to Mr. Mandela, having to endure a lot on his behalf.
In the end, this was a somewhat interesting but ultimately disappointing sequence of anecdotes with an administrative perspective without much insight about the man or the times.
(I'm excited to have won this as a Goodreads First Read – so thanks!)
I’m a great admirer of Mr. Mandela, and wanted to read more about him, especially with this being a personal account, hoping I’d get more of an insider’s view and insight into the behind-the-scenes political, social, or even personal aspects of Mr. Mandela. Unfortunately this book falls a little short of that expectation. She does state upfront that this was not a tell all, etc., which is fine; but she takes that to the extreme and doesn’t deliver an expectation I got from the cover that this might provide some critical review, background on the political or social happenings, or indepth insight into who was Mr. Mandela.
Instead, this was a matter-of-fact, activity-to-activity listing of what happened chronologically, from her experiences and POV, without much extrapolation or insight to put things in context or provide deeper meaning or understanding (after 50 pages, I wondered if I can get through all 360+ pages this way – barely). It is telling that she describes herself as “so obsessed with doing more, that I probably missed some valuable opportunities to get a deeper understanding of what was historically happening around me.” This was evident throughout the book.
It did give an idea of what “ordinary people” saw, those who weren’t as involved, as well as gave more the operational/administrative side of things, only scratching the surface of events. I had to accept that she was not an introspective, big-picture, politically savvy or even initially curious person, but a detail person focused of execution, efficiency and looking out for her boss – a perfect complement to Mr. Mandela’s opposite style. While that’s not useful for storytelling, I give her credit and ultimately respect for her dedication (to the point of obsession), service and help to Mr. Mandela, having to endure a lot on his behalf.
In the end, this was a somewhat interesting but ultimately disappointing sequence of anecdotes with an administrative perspective without much insight about the man or the times.
October 27, 2014
This story has so many facets to it. At one end it is a coming of age tale of a young, politically naïve Afrikaans girl who grows up to become assistant to one of the iconic historical figures of our time and her growth as an individual through the many experiences that she shares with him. It is the lesser told story of life-after-prison-and-president of Nelson Mandela and it takes up where so many other books cease. It is also a love story between an unexpected honorary granddaughter and a grandfather.
As Zelda has said, the story is told in her own words and, if you can read the Afrikaans version, I would recommend it as the more authentic version. I am grateful that she recorded her special memories of the man, especially in his latter years. This is one book where Madiba the person and not the political icon shines throughout. I also admire Zelda her selfless devotion to Madiba and the enormous amount of effort that it must have cost her through the years to make his life easier and better. Few people can claim to be able export oryx to Saudi Arabia one day and arrange one of the biggest birthday parties of the century on another day! She also reinforced my impression of Mrs Machel as a person worthy of utmost respect.
As Zelda has said, the story is told in her own words and, if you can read the Afrikaans version, I would recommend it as the more authentic version. I am grateful that she recorded her special memories of the man, especially in his latter years. This is one book where Madiba the person and not the political icon shines throughout. I also admire Zelda her selfless devotion to Madiba and the enormous amount of effort that it must have cost her through the years to make his life easier and better. Few people can claim to be able export oryx to Saudi Arabia one day and arrange one of the biggest birthday parties of the century on another day! She also reinforced my impression of Mrs Machel as a person worthy of utmost respect.
August 2, 2014
Ek het gewonder oor die ophef wat daar van hierdie boek gemaak is vooraf. Toe ek vanaand die laaste woorde lees, het ek geweet dit was elke greintjie ophef werd. Zelda, net soos Mandela, is enig in haar soort. Die voorsienigheid het hierdie twee mense bymekaar uitgebring en uiteindelik aan mekaar verbind met bande selfs sterker as bloed. Ek dink Zelda het in groot mate met haar totale toegewydheid aan Madiba dalk onbewustelik boetedoening gedoen vir die onregte wat 'haar mense' vir soveel jare aan Madiba en sy mense gedoen het. Die boek het my persoonlik ook 'n paar lewenslesse geleer, of eintlik net weer daaraan herinner. Mag die lewe verder vorentoe vir Zelda vir die res van haar dae net die mooiste uitdeel. Sy verdien dit. Net so 'n voorreg wat dit vir haar was om in Madiba se lewe te wees, net so bevoorreg was hy om haar in sy lewe te hê. Hy kon nie vir beter gevra het nie. Hamba Kahle Zelda.
October 10, 2014
It was a must-read for me as someone who admires Madiba (what he stood for, how he lived his values, and what he said that would continue to inspire people across the world) and knew Zelda had a close work and personal relationship with him. I also come from the same subjective brainwashed Afrikaans background as Zelda and had the same transformation as she did, although for different reasons. The book didn't disappoint:- Zelda tells it as it was ... Filling the gaps between what you read in the media and reinforcing my admiration for Madiba. Hoping that Zelda could find a bit of closure by writing the book, and her journey with Madiba will lead her to be involved in other great things and people
March 21, 2016
I will read just about anything Mandela-related, but this one tested my limits. The novelty of the book is supposed to be that Ms. La Grange, a white Afrikaner, was Mandela's personal assistant for decades. That could have been an interesting premise, but it's written at about a 6th grade level, and does not appear to have been edited. The only thing that I really found noteworthy was that Mandela's family members, other than his wife Ms. Machel, come off as boorish and petty.
August 24, 2014
The content of this book is fascinating, but it is so badly written and this irritated me all the way through. Perhaps the publisher wanted the story from Zelda's mouth, with her Afrikaans overtones and mediocre English, but I would have preferred a ghost writer to polish up the style and make it more readable.
July 20, 2014
'n Besondere boek oor 'n besondere verhouding. Sonder pretensie en sonder sensasie.Lees dit gerus.
September 29, 2017
4.5 stars
RTC
RTC
July 31, 2021
Good Morning, Mr Mandela is the story of an Afrikaans girl who lived her childhood in Apartheid South Africa and grew up to become the personal assistant and thereafter the friend of the best son offered to humanity.
It is also the struggle of locus of power in post-apartheid South Africa. The story told by the author is one of beauty as well as one of the schenanigans around the control of the legacy of this illustrious man.
The book is well written, however, at times, the story is all over the place.
It is also the struggle of locus of power in post-apartheid South Africa. The story told by the author is one of beauty as well as one of the schenanigans around the control of the legacy of this illustrious man.
The book is well written, however, at times, the story is all over the place.
August 30, 2016
I received Good Morning, Mr. Mandela as part of a Goodreads giveaway.
Raised under apartheid in South Africa in the 1970s and 1980s, Zelda la Grange led a privileged existence as a white Afrikaner. Taught to fear any and every black person, she entered early adulthood as a stalwart conservative and, by her own admission, a racist. However, in the early 1990s, fate brought her into the path of Nelson Mandela, then recently released from prison and newly-elected president of South Africa. First working closely in his administrative office, then as his personal assistant, Zelda was a right-hand woman to Mandela, or Madiba, for two decades, during his time in office, then later as head of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, in time forging a bond that went far beyond the profesional.
la Grange is a really fascinating person, and I appreciated her candor on her own racism and personal shortcomings. You also get to see a rare human side of Mandela. While he was an extraordinary man, he was just that--a man--who had imperfect moments like anyone, and it's these human moments that in some ways make him more extraordinary. On the other hand, I feel like some aspects missed their mark, though I'm not sure why. Sometimes I felt like I was missing context, other times, I feel like I was wading through a lot of celebrity/political name-dropping, and I didn't really know what its purpose was, still others the narrative wasn't the most engaging. Still, not knowing a ton about Mandela, especially before the onslaught of press coverage following his death last December, I found this an interesting read.
Raised under apartheid in South Africa in the 1970s and 1980s, Zelda la Grange led a privileged existence as a white Afrikaner. Taught to fear any and every black person, she entered early adulthood as a stalwart conservative and, by her own admission, a racist. However, in the early 1990s, fate brought her into the path of Nelson Mandela, then recently released from prison and newly-elected president of South Africa. First working closely in his administrative office, then as his personal assistant, Zelda was a right-hand woman to Mandela, or Madiba, for two decades, during his time in office, then later as head of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, in time forging a bond that went far beyond the profesional.
la Grange is a really fascinating person, and I appreciated her candor on her own racism and personal shortcomings. You also get to see a rare human side of Mandela. While he was an extraordinary man, he was just that--a man--who had imperfect moments like anyone, and it's these human moments that in some ways make him more extraordinary. On the other hand, I feel like some aspects missed their mark, though I'm not sure why. Sometimes I felt like I was missing context, other times, I feel like I was wading through a lot of celebrity/political name-dropping, and I didn't really know what its purpose was, still others the narrative wasn't the most engaging. Still, not knowing a ton about Mandela, especially before the onslaught of press coverage following his death last December, I found this an interesting read.
January 7, 2018
If one is looking for profound insight into the late, great, Nelson Mandela, it won't be found in this book. Zelda la Grange, personal secretary to Mandela, affectionately known to his countrymen as Madiba, offers more time spent exploring the mundane occurrences during her time as a personal aide to this great man, than attempting to make any profound statements about the political comings and goings on of the world in which she had a front row seat.
The book didn't start out this way. It becomes clear from the onset that there is much potential for a profoundly moving discourse as the reader is informed by La Grange herself that she was raised under apartheid by conservative parents who taught her that Madiba was a terrorist. La Grange has a serendipitous rise from typist for another branch of government to personal secretary, assistant, and adoptive-like granddaughter to the great Mandela, the first democratically elected president of South Africa after the official end of apartheid. While having a sideline view of his gentle greatness, La Grange begins to question her prejudices, but despite reiterating how far she'd grown in her thinking as a result of Mandela's influence, there seemed to be a lack of depth in what she chose to write about. In fact, throughout the book, Zelda la Grange seems to take events and people at face value without any intuitive sense of depth at all.
GOOD MORNING, MR. MANDELA is a mediocre read. It's not a short read, and because of the repetitive nature of what often comes across as mundane, I, unfortunately, didn't find it a compelling one either.
The book didn't start out this way. It becomes clear from the onset that there is much potential for a profoundly moving discourse as the reader is informed by La Grange herself that she was raised under apartheid by conservative parents who taught her that Madiba was a terrorist. La Grange has a serendipitous rise from typist for another branch of government to personal secretary, assistant, and adoptive-like granddaughter to the great Mandela, the first democratically elected president of South Africa after the official end of apartheid. While having a sideline view of his gentle greatness, La Grange begins to question her prejudices, but despite reiterating how far she'd grown in her thinking as a result of Mandela's influence, there seemed to be a lack of depth in what she chose to write about. In fact, throughout the book, Zelda la Grange seems to take events and people at face value without any intuitive sense of depth at all.
GOOD MORNING, MR. MANDELA is a mediocre read. It's not a short read, and because of the repetitive nature of what often comes across as mundane, I, unfortunately, didn't find it a compelling one either.
August 20, 2014
Full review: http://bookjunkiereview.blogspot.com/2014/08/good-morning-mr-mandela-memoir-by-zelda.html
Zelda grew up in apartheid era South Africa, which her family believed and supported the racist government. When Nelson Mandela was released from prison, Zelda was hired as a secretary for the president’s office. Little would she realize that she go from being a lowly secretary to being President Mandela’s loyal confidant, traveling the world with him and destroying her life-long beliefs of segregation and racism.
The book was technical with the narrative of “He said this”, “I did this”, “I went here” which sometimes made for a tedious read. What lacks with writing style, it made up with the deep love and passion she had for her job and for Madiba, who she became extremely close to, up until the end. At times, I shed a few tears as she told stories of his love for her and the raw grief she experienced after his death last year.
This memoir is a wonderful tribute to Madiba, his life and his work to bring a nation together and changing the world for the better. You will be moved to tears, feeling the love and loyalty radiating from the book. You will be left in awe of both Madiba and of Zelda who opened her heart to the world and sharing the love she will always have for him.
Zelda grew up in apartheid era South Africa, which her family believed and supported the racist government. When Nelson Mandela was released from prison, Zelda was hired as a secretary for the president’s office. Little would she realize that she go from being a lowly secretary to being President Mandela’s loyal confidant, traveling the world with him and destroying her life-long beliefs of segregation and racism.
The book was technical with the narrative of “He said this”, “I did this”, “I went here” which sometimes made for a tedious read. What lacks with writing style, it made up with the deep love and passion she had for her job and for Madiba, who she became extremely close to, up until the end. At times, I shed a few tears as she told stories of his love for her and the raw grief she experienced after his death last year.
This memoir is a wonderful tribute to Madiba, his life and his work to bring a nation together and changing the world for the better. You will be moved to tears, feeling the love and loyalty radiating from the book. You will be left in awe of both Madiba and of Zelda who opened her heart to the world and sharing the love she will always have for him.
March 7, 2015
I bought a signed copy of this book as there was so much hype around it. I had always believed Mandela's choice of a white Afrikaner woman to work in his inner office was a strategic move, but there was so much warmth and understanding in the relationship between Madiba and his personal assistant that one recognises genuine chemistry and mutual caring between them. It's a story of her transformation and personal growth and in the telling Zelda la Grange is completely without guile. Throughout, she shares lessons and values she acquires in working so closely with 'the most famous man on the planet'and later his wife Graca Machel, too. I admire La Grange's detailed recall, honesty, loyalty and years of sacrifice.
I was also interested to learn that Prof Jakes Gerwel, Bono, and the Clintons were not only among Mandela's closest admirers, but also offered Zelda tremendous support around the time of his death. I also learned, as I had suspected, that political posturing within the Mandela family had become poisonous around the time of the funeral; the author is quickly sidelined and unfortunately becomes sentimental to the point of maudlin at the end of her memoir. One needs to look beyond that, as well as poor writing/editing (eg preposition and punctuation trouble), to what is really an extraordinary story with, as Clinton says, 'lessons Madiba taught us all'.
I scored it 3,5.
I was also interested to learn that Prof Jakes Gerwel, Bono, and the Clintons were not only among Mandela's closest admirers, but also offered Zelda tremendous support around the time of his death. I also learned, as I had suspected, that political posturing within the Mandela family had become poisonous around the time of the funeral; the author is quickly sidelined and unfortunately becomes sentimental to the point of maudlin at the end of her memoir. One needs to look beyond that, as well as poor writing/editing (eg preposition and punctuation trouble), to what is really an extraordinary story with, as Clinton says, 'lessons Madiba taught us all'.
I scored it 3,5.
November 7, 2018
This is a story of the full depth of human emotion. We are not dealing with an unbiased look at Mr Mandela nor are we dealing with an objective investigation of the RSA in these years. Instead, the reader is introduced to a young Afrikaans about to enter the service of Mr Mandela, unknowing that the next two decades will be heavily influenced by that person.
I think that the important things to keep in mind with this book are exactly the points from above: Ms La Grange's endeavours in the name of Mr Mandela were an act of personal devotion and it would be impossible for her to be objective about her former boss.
But, in this one case, we should not want objectivity. That would be inhuman. Rather, the words Ms La Grange uses shows what mattered to her and how the society -- if only a very small slice of it we hear about as her family -- and its mores changed to show near-utmost respect to a very special person in the history of humanity.
The short glimpses of everyday life the reader is granted only reinforce this -- and hopefully bring forth the ideas Mr Mandela stood for all his life (equality, humanity and respect to turn it into a catchphrase) as well as ensure that these keep on surviving (and, hopefully, thriving).
Originally posted here.
I think that the important things to keep in mind with this book are exactly the points from above: Ms La Grange's endeavours in the name of Mr Mandela were an act of personal devotion and it would be impossible for her to be objective about her former boss.
But, in this one case, we should not want objectivity. That would be inhuman. Rather, the words Ms La Grange uses shows what mattered to her and how the society -- if only a very small slice of it we hear about as her family -- and its mores changed to show near-utmost respect to a very special person in the history of humanity.
The short glimpses of everyday life the reader is granted only reinforce this -- and hopefully bring forth the ideas Mr Mandela stood for all his life (equality, humanity and respect to turn it into a catchphrase) as well as ensure that these keep on surviving (and, hopefully, thriving).
Originally posted here.
February 18, 2015
I will read anything I can get my hands on about Nelson Mandela. This one didn't disappoint. It was an incredibly personal and candid recount of Zelda's personal relationship with a global icon of humanitarianism. Her reverence for him is apparent, but she isn't afraid to speak of his flaws. No fear though, this isn't a staff members attempts to air her boss's dirty laundry. I'd categorize it as a good reminder that he was a human, after all. A must read for anyone with a fascination of one of the most prolific men of our time.
January 2, 2016
The audio recording was a bit annoying at first because the narrator did not quite capture either Zelda's or Madhiba's voice and affected a strange lisp doing Zelda, but then I got used to it. I liked the story about how Zelda came to work for Madhiba and their interactions. The part that happened when I was living in South Africa rang very true. Zelda went on a bit too long about last stages of Mandela's life, how sad she was, and the bad and disrespectful behavior by some family members and officials; unfortunately for South Africa that part also rang very true.
November 11, 2015
I thought this was an excellent book. I still can't believe when they discuss situations that happened in Africa in 1989-90. I would have been 13/14 years old and oblivious that racism was happening to that extent. Now a days, kids have access to the internet and all sorts of resources we didn't have to get this information quickly. This young lady was brought up to be afraid of black people and then she ends up working for one of the greatest men around (Nelson Mandela) and he changes everything for her. It goes to show you how one person can slowly change the world for the best.
June 24, 2014
Ongelooflike boek, sy skryf soos sy praat en klink oor die radio/TV. Die storie spreek van wedersydse omgee, respek en vertroue tussen twee spesiale mense. Wat die boek ekstra spesiaal maak is dat dit Zelda se storie is, haar gevoelens, haar ervaring... ook haar groei - iets waarmee elkeen kan identifiseer. Lojaliteit is altyd 'n bonus, maar hierdie verhouding het veel verderder en dieper gestrek as dit.
June 25, 2014
This book is written with love and passion for Nelson Mandela who Zelda served for 18 years. Although the writing style is pedestrian the content is fascinating. This book is a tribute to a great man and provides insight into his daily life and leaves the reader with huge respect for the his stamina in dealing with a punishing work schedule and his caring kindness to all.
November 4, 2015
In het begin een wat oppervlakkig relaas van alle reizen en ontmoetingen. Aan het eind laat ze haar gevoel wat meer zien. Ik heb moeten wennen aan haar verering van Mandela, maar nu het boek uit is begrijp ik het wel. Ze heeft tussen de regels ook laten zien waar Mandela sterk in was en waarin niet. Ze vereerde hem ook als mens die hij was. Maar wat een nare familie.
September 21, 2014
Wonderful memoir by South Africa's most famous secretary.
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