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11 Life Lessons From Nelson Mandela
‘ You empower yourself and then you reach out to others. ’Uplifting life lessons from one of the greatest leaders the world has ever known... through the eyes of the grandson whose life he changed forever.In his book Going to the Mountain , Ndaba Mandela shares the story of his coming-of-age alongside South Africa’s rebirth. It is a remarkable journey, and one that took him from the violent, segregated Soweto ghettos to his grandfather’s presidential home.As a young boy, Ndaba was constantly shunted from place to place. But at eleven years old he was unexpectedly invited to live with his grandfather, Nelson Mandela, even though he had met him only once before, during a prison visit. And, slowly, they built a relationship that would affect both of them profoundly.Ndaba's teenage years were complicated, but as he approached his twenty-first birthday, Mandela decided that Ndaba was finally ready to ‘go to the mountain’ – a test of courage during which you become a man. At the end of this gruelling ritual journey, the elders of the Mandelas’ tribe gathered and Ndaba’s grandfather was there, as ever, to share his greatest life lessons.From Nelson Mandela, Ndaba learned the spirit of endurance, the triumph of forgiveness, the power of resistance and the beauty of reconciliation. And as Mandela grew older, Ndaba had the chance to repay his grandfather’s love and support by demonstrating the ways in which he’d understood all that he had taught him.Intimate and inspirational, Going to the Mountain is a powerful reminder of how one person can impact profoundly on another, and a testament to the awesome power within us to change ourselves and our world.
288 pages, Paperback
First published June 26, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
June 28, 2018
Nelson Mandela’s hundredth birthday approaches. His grandson Ndaba, whom Mandela raised following his release from prison, talks about growing up with the titan that led the movement against Apartheid in South Africa. He reflects on Xhosa culture and the role that it played in the struggle and in his own development, and it is within this framework that he talks about his grandfather, and about the future of his people.
My thanks go to Net Galley and Hachette Books for the review copy, which I received free and early.
Ndaba spent his early years moving between his parents’ households. His mother struggled with alcoholism and other disorders; his father was ill, and would later die from AIDS. He tells of the surreal juxtaposition of the slum that had been his entire experience with his grandfather’s house, where he had his own room, food that was healthy and prepared for him, clothing, and even a video game system; it was just about everything a child could ask for, but it came at the price of separation from his mother, and he rebelled and acted out in response. As a man with a wider view of the past, he recognizes that this was by far the best outcome, but for many years he resisted, yet was safe because of his grandfather’s stable influence and wisdom.
He speaks of having come to Disney World as a youngster, where he was engaged in conversation with a friendly American, who asked him, as they stood in line for a ride, how big the lions are in Africa. Ndaba, of course, grew up in an urban environment and had no more seen a lion wandering around than the questioner had. He came to realize that these are the stereotypes that the Western world has for Africa: lions in rural areas, and crime in the cities. Dangerous animals; dangerous people. He suggests that the U.S.A. improve its own police forces before presuming to talk to South Africans about theirs.
He has a point.
The entire memoir is told using Xhosa folk tales as allegory, and the result is glorious and deeply moving.
Although I seldom become teary while reading, a good hard lump formed in my throat when he spoke of taking his grandfather on his final journey to Capetown.
Highly recommended to everyone, whether you know the history of the South African Revolution or are new to it.
My thanks go to Net Galley and Hachette Books for the review copy, which I received free and early.
Ndaba spent his early years moving between his parents’ households. His mother struggled with alcoholism and other disorders; his father was ill, and would later die from AIDS. He tells of the surreal juxtaposition of the slum that had been his entire experience with his grandfather’s house, where he had his own room, food that was healthy and prepared for him, clothing, and even a video game system; it was just about everything a child could ask for, but it came at the price of separation from his mother, and he rebelled and acted out in response. As a man with a wider view of the past, he recognizes that this was by far the best outcome, but for many years he resisted, yet was safe because of his grandfather’s stable influence and wisdom.
He speaks of having come to Disney World as a youngster, where he was engaged in conversation with a friendly American, who asked him, as they stood in line for a ride, how big the lions are in Africa. Ndaba, of course, grew up in an urban environment and had no more seen a lion wandering around than the questioner had. He came to realize that these are the stereotypes that the Western world has for Africa: lions in rural areas, and crime in the cities. Dangerous animals; dangerous people. He suggests that the U.S.A. improve its own police forces before presuming to talk to South Africans about theirs.
He has a point.
The entire memoir is told using Xhosa folk tales as allegory, and the result is glorious and deeply moving.
Although I seldom become teary while reading, a good hard lump formed in my throat when he spoke of taking his grandfather on his final journey to Capetown.
Highly recommended to everyone, whether you know the history of the South African Revolution or are new to it.
June 28, 2018
*I received a free copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
Going to the Mountain is a powerful memoir, told by Ndaba Mandela, the grandson of Nelson Mandela. He talks of his coming of age during a time when South Africa was in turmoil, and how the transition from apartheid to its current state affected him and his family. “Going to the mountain” is a phrase used by people in his tribe when they undertake the ritual to become a man, and ultimately, that’s what this book is about: growing up, learning from your mistakes, and how your environment and the people in your life affect your growth and who you become as an adult. Mandela talks about everything, from the mundane that everyone can relate to, like going to school and dating, to other things that were unique for someone in his position, like the attention he received from being Nelson Mandela’s grandson. Whatever the subject, however, Mandela speaks with stark honesty and we could all learn a lesson from his reflective nature and his continuing encouragement to do better and be better.
I love the way Mandela is able to weave teachings and sayings from the Xhosa tribe with his grandfather’s teachings and his own life experiences. This memoir is rich with his culture, and we learn a lot about the Xhosa tribe and the Mandelas’ way of living through this. I am inspired by this book to learn more about different cultures; Mandela shows that it is through an active effort of understanding that we grow and learn and make better choices for the future generations.
What I love the most, however, is that Ndaba Mandela is not afraid to reflect on his shortcomings. He puts everything out there so that the reader can understand him to be a fully relatable person, and shows how much a person can grow (especially a young person) when given guidance. It’s an inspiring story that we can all take to heart, and I personally, have never felt more motivated to try to be my best self so that the young people in my life can learn from my example and be their best selves. It’s something we should all keep in mind.
Overall, I greatly enjoyed this book. It’s full of life lessons, and the reflective nature of it brings the reader in to reflect on their own lives. It’s also a genuinely interesting story; Ndaba Mandela has lived a remarkable life during a remarkable time, and his insight into all of it is fascinating. Anyone who is interested in memoirs will find value in reading Going to the Mountain; it’s a compelling story told through exceptional writing.
Also posted on Purple People Readers.
Going to the Mountain is a powerful memoir, told by Ndaba Mandela, the grandson of Nelson Mandela. He talks of his coming of age during a time when South Africa was in turmoil, and how the transition from apartheid to its current state affected him and his family. “Going to the mountain” is a phrase used by people in his tribe when they undertake the ritual to become a man, and ultimately, that’s what this book is about: growing up, learning from your mistakes, and how your environment and the people in your life affect your growth and who you become as an adult. Mandela talks about everything, from the mundane that everyone can relate to, like going to school and dating, to other things that were unique for someone in his position, like the attention he received from being Nelson Mandela’s grandson. Whatever the subject, however, Mandela speaks with stark honesty and we could all learn a lesson from his reflective nature and his continuing encouragement to do better and be better.
I love the way Mandela is able to weave teachings and sayings from the Xhosa tribe with his grandfather’s teachings and his own life experiences. This memoir is rich with his culture, and we learn a lot about the Xhosa tribe and the Mandelas’ way of living through this. I am inspired by this book to learn more about different cultures; Mandela shows that it is through an active effort of understanding that we grow and learn and make better choices for the future generations.
What I love the most, however, is that Ndaba Mandela is not afraid to reflect on his shortcomings. He puts everything out there so that the reader can understand him to be a fully relatable person, and shows how much a person can grow (especially a young person) when given guidance. It’s an inspiring story that we can all take to heart, and I personally, have never felt more motivated to try to be my best self so that the young people in my life can learn from my example and be their best selves. It’s something we should all keep in mind.
Overall, I greatly enjoyed this book. It’s full of life lessons, and the reflective nature of it brings the reader in to reflect on their own lives. It’s also a genuinely interesting story; Ndaba Mandela has lived a remarkable life during a remarkable time, and his insight into all of it is fascinating. Anyone who is interested in memoirs will find value in reading Going to the Mountain; it’s a compelling story told through exceptional writing.
Also posted on Purple People Readers.
January 20, 2019
I was really craving nonfiction when I picked this up from my stack. I wanted something solid and inspiring. I chose the right one. Written by Ndaba Mandela, Nelson Mandela's grandson, it reads like short stories and snippets of life lessons he got from him, not only from going to live with him, but also events that happened in his life which involved Mandela.
For me, Mandela is beyond inspiring and his face showed such a high level of kindness - you can see it on this cover. It is a very real book, where Ndaba talks about his own parent's alcoholism and how he goes to live with Mandela, how as a young man he feels Mandela is too strict but realises afterwards the lessons in what he did. I can certainly relate to that part 🙊 Insightful and very easy to read, I really recommend this read. Ndaba shows he has a great way of seeing things and looking past the obvious, tells you a lot about Mandela, the way he listens, actively, yet studying every word you say. I have tabbed a lot of the book. I loved it.
Towards the ending when Mandela dies, it choked me up. It is written with such tenderness and you can feel Ndaba's heart breaking. There is a lot we can learn from the book and how we treat each other.
For me, Mandela is beyond inspiring and his face showed such a high level of kindness - you can see it on this cover. It is a very real book, where Ndaba talks about his own parent's alcoholism and how he goes to live with Mandela, how as a young man he feels Mandela is too strict but realises afterwards the lessons in what he did. I can certainly relate to that part 🙊 Insightful and very easy to read, I really recommend this read. Ndaba shows he has a great way of seeing things and looking past the obvious, tells you a lot about Mandela, the way he listens, actively, yet studying every word you say. I have tabbed a lot of the book. I loved it.
Towards the ending when Mandela dies, it choked me up. It is written with such tenderness and you can feel Ndaba's heart breaking. There is a lot we can learn from the book and how we treat each other.
September 20, 2019
I agree with one of the other reviews, at times Ndaba's writing was very childish but it was also his actions that felt extremely childish. I thought this book would be more eloquent and sadly it wasn't. I agree with the author that there needs to be more love towards all people of the world.
A couple of things that really bothered me are the following: first was that even after admitting that his parents were alcoholics, he still drank way too much. Then, he openly admits to smoking marijuana, why would one want to harm their brains with this weed? Next, with as huge of a health issue that AIDS is and especially with his parents, he also admits to having a lot of sexual relations with women. He messed up at collage because he wanted a year off. With his grandfather's help, he was admitted back into school after being kicked out. This left me feeling that he had become a "privilege" grandchild of a powerful man.
I always knock a book down for swearing. An educated person should have a better understanding about words and their meanings than to resort to swearing. Lastly, I got really tired of reading the saying, "COOL MAN".
A couple of things that really bothered me are the following: first was that even after admitting that his parents were alcoholics, he still drank way too much. Then, he openly admits to smoking marijuana, why would one want to harm their brains with this weed? Next, with as huge of a health issue that AIDS is and especially with his parents, he also admits to having a lot of sexual relations with women. He messed up at collage because he wanted a year off. With his grandfather's help, he was admitted back into school after being kicked out. This left me feeling that he had become a "privilege" grandchild of a powerful man.
I always knock a book down for swearing. An educated person should have a better understanding about words and their meanings than to resort to swearing. Lastly, I got really tired of reading the saying, "COOL MAN".
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 21, 2020
First review on this app and a great read to start on. I love non-fiction and I am really trying to read more. This book made that very easy. I loved Ndaba’s ability to story tell and paint the picture of life in the same household as Madiba. I really got a sense for the surroundings and some days felt as though I was sitting at the table reading the paper with them.
The book is a clever presentation of Mandela’s teachings through very anecdotal means. Instead of a bunch of quotes strewn throughout the book, his wisdom is embedded in fondly told stories. Loved it and found it very hard to put down!
The book is a clever presentation of Mandela’s teachings through very anecdotal means. Instead of a bunch of quotes strewn throughout the book, his wisdom is embedded in fondly told stories. Loved it and found it very hard to put down!
October 24, 2023
This was a quick, enjoyable read (I listened on Libby audible). Ndaba grew up in his grandparents’ home. His brothers also joined him after a certain age. He recounts stories and life lessons he learned from Nelson Mandela. What an unbelievable sacrifice Mr Mandela made to take a stand for ending apartheid. One of Ndaba’s first memories is of visiting his grandfather in prison. I want to read more about the history of the ANC and the movement to end apartheid.
August 4, 2018
NDABA MANDELA SHARES HIS GRANDFATHER’S LESSONS
Ndaba Mandela, grandson of Nelson Mandela, retells stories, lessons, and legends from his grandfather in his recently released book entitled “Going to the Mountain.” Ndaba starts with the story of first meeting his grandfather under unique circumstances - him being seven years-old and his grandfather in jail. A few years later, his immediate family moves apart, and he begins to live with Nelson.
Ndaba tells rich folk tales and stories about meeting famous individuals, but his story shines in the quieter moments. Standout stories include the racism he faced at Disneyland and how AIDs rocked his family.
Ndaba has a knack for storytelling. He brings the reader into his South African culture and, once there, you are immersed. He defines family, race, knowledge, and education within his context in a way that will shake up the average American viewpoint. And the audio, read by Michael Boatman, is perfection.
This story is important. The author, the subject - they are meant to be known and discussed.
Ndaba Mandela, grandson of Nelson Mandela, retells stories, lessons, and legends from his grandfather in his recently released book entitled “Going to the Mountain.” Ndaba starts with the story of first meeting his grandfather under unique circumstances - him being seven years-old and his grandfather in jail. A few years later, his immediate family moves apart, and he begins to live with Nelson.
Ndaba tells rich folk tales and stories about meeting famous individuals, but his story shines in the quieter moments. Standout stories include the racism he faced at Disneyland and how AIDs rocked his family.
Ndaba has a knack for storytelling. He brings the reader into his South African culture and, once there, you are immersed. He defines family, race, knowledge, and education within his context in a way that will shake up the average American viewpoint. And the audio, read by Michael Boatman, is perfection.
This story is important. The author, the subject - they are meant to be known and discussed.
August 21, 2020
Moeilijk te lezen, maar informatief boeiend verhaal
April 15, 2025
Fantastic, absolutely loved it!
January 14, 2025
Na een bezoek aan Zuid-Afrika zo'n tien jaar geleden, bleef ik met veel vragen zitten over de samenleving na de afschaffing van de apartheid. In een poging om meer zicht te krijgen op de rol die Nelson Mandela speelde bij het installeren van een rechtvaardige democratie in zijn land, leek me dit een ideaal boek.
De memoires van Ndaba Mandela lezen zeer vlot, wat ervoor zorgde dat ik me precies opnieuw in Zuid-Afrika waande. Aan de hand van de levenslessen kreeg ik meer zicht op de samenleving in Zuid-Afrika. Net zoals in de titel staat beschreven, vergt het inderdaad moed om vredevol samen te leven met landgenoten die een deel van de bevolking eerder onderdrukten.
Naast nieuwe inzichten over Zuid-Afrika haalde ik uit dit boek ook enkele boekentips.
De memoires van Ndaba Mandela lezen zeer vlot, wat ervoor zorgde dat ik me precies opnieuw in Zuid-Afrika waande. Aan de hand van de levenslessen kreeg ik meer zicht op de samenleving in Zuid-Afrika. Net zoals in de titel staat beschreven, vergt het inderdaad moed om vredevol samen te leven met landgenoten die een deel van de bevolking eerder onderdrukten.
Naast nieuwe inzichten over Zuid-Afrika haalde ik uit dit boek ook enkele boekentips.
July 25, 2018
Inspiring words from Nelson Mandela’s grandson
Ndaba Mandela shares a candid and unflinching story about growing to know and love his grandfather. An amazing account of a life journey that still has so far to go. Looking forward to seeing how he will take in ever greater leadership roles.
Ndaba Mandela shares a candid and unflinching story about growing to know and love his grandfather. An amazing account of a life journey that still has so far to go. Looking forward to seeing how he will take in ever greater leadership roles.
July 11, 2018
It was very interesting to learn about Nelson Mandela from his grandson, who lived with him when he was young. Ndaba Mandela's parents were both alcoholics. Ndaba lived in Soweto until Nelson came out of jail after 27 years. When Nelson offered to house his grandson, his parents agreed, and for the first time Ndaba had a real home. Nelson had high expectations for his grandson. Ndaba, not always having a mature attitude, did not always follow his grandfather's high expectations, particularly when it came to studying hard at school. Even through his immaturity, Ndaba loved his grandfather. He appreciated who his grandfather was, and how he stepped up to take good care of him. When Ndaba was young, Nelson took care of him; When Nelson got old, their roles were reversed. It was clear that throughout their lives, Nelson and Ndaba had each other's backs. I can't imagine the awe I would feel if I were Nelson Mandela's grandchild. His ideals were pure. He was a change maker. He brought Democracy to South Africa in a country filled with rich, controlling Africaans, and worked his whole life for equal rights, before and after he was the president of his nation. Nelson's grandson is taking his grandfather's ideas to heart, speaking across Africa and the world, helping people to see beyond the stereotypes people have about the continent of Africa, beyond the poverty, the conflicts, and the idea that Africa is only known for its animals. This was a heartfelt story that confirmed my love for a man who believed in the fight for equality.
May 8, 2021
Nelson Mandela siert de cover, maar het boek is vooral een beknopte biografie van een van zijn kleinzoons, Ndaba, die hij op 11-jqrige leeftijd in huis neemt. In de slipstream van Ndaba’s levensverhaal komt Nelson, de Oude Man genoemd, en zijn filosofie/levenslessen zijdelings aan de orde. Het lijkt een eerlijk en authentiek verhaal, soepel verteld, makkelijk leesbaar, doorspekt met taal en levenslessen van het Xhosa volk waarvan de Mandela’s afstammen. Een mooi ‘coming of age’ verhaal, niet al te diepgaand. Wel een inspirerend verslag van een jonge man die opgroeit in de turbulente jonge Zuid-Afrikaanse democratie, daarin bijna verdwaalt, maar zich onder invloed van zijn liefdevolle omgeving ontwikkelt tot een verantwoordelijke persoon die een klein beetje in de voetsporen van zijn Oude Man treedt.
Overigens, een vreemde vertaling van de oorspronkelijke titel van het boek, ‘Going to the mountain’. ‘Naar de berg gaan’ is bij de de Xhosa hét ritueel waarin een jongen tot man wordt. In het boek is dit een van de meest aangrijpende, indringende hoofdstukken. De Nederlandse titel, ‘De moed om te vergeven’, steekt daar magertjes bij af. Het suggereert ook meer ‘Nelson inhoud’ dan gerechtvaardigd is.
Overigens, een vreemde vertaling van de oorspronkelijke titel van het boek, ‘Going to the mountain’. ‘Naar de berg gaan’ is bij de de Xhosa hét ritueel waarin een jongen tot man wordt. In het boek is dit een van de meest aangrijpende, indringende hoofdstukken. De Nederlandse titel, ‘De moed om te vergeven’, steekt daar magertjes bij af. Het suggereert ook meer ‘Nelson inhoud’ dan gerechtvaardigd is.
October 13, 2020
I hate to say it but I couldn’t get through the whole book, I read a little over half way . I think upon picking this book up I anticipated learning more about apartheid, and Nelson Mandela’s journey a little bit more through his grandson. I felt like the grandson did a good job of painting the picture and displaying his grandfathers character but I think I wanted more history. I also think I still learned a lot but I think overall it just wasn’t what I was anticipating and didn’t feel captured by the writing style to keep going. This isn’t to say the whole book won’t be a great read for someone else
kindle
June 21, 2018Going to the Mountain is a powerful memoir, told by Ndaba Mandela, the grandson of Nelson Mandela. He about coming of age when South Africa was in turmoil, and how the transition from apartheid to its current state affected him and his family. His tribe used the phrase "Going to the mountain" when they undertake the ritual to become a man. The writer wrote a brilliant book about this period of his life and about the lessons he learned. This book offered a glimpse of the relationship that Nelson Mandela shared with his grandson and the impact he had on his life.
February 23, 2020
Op zijn zevende, het was 1989, ontmoette Ndaba Mandela zijn grootvader Nelson Mandela, die toen nog gevangen zat in de Victor Verster-gevangenis, voor de eerste keer. Vier later, Mandela was inmiddels vrij man, trok hij bij grootvader in en werd vervolgens door hem opgevoed. Hij is een van de oprichters van de Africa Rising Foundation en woordvoerder van UNAIDS, maar ook een van de grondleggers van de jaarlijkse Nelson Mandela Day. In 2018, vlak voor de 100ste geboortedag van zijn grootvader, verscheen zijn boek De moed om te vergeven.
De moed om te vergeven is vooral een beknopte biografie, waarin Ndaba Mandela over onder andere zijn relatie met zijn grootvader, vaak De Oude Man of Madiba genoemd, vertelt, maar ook hoe het was om bij hem op te groeien, over de vele gesprekken die hij met hem gevoerd heeft, maar ook dat hij het niet altijd met hem eens was en dat er, in feite net als in ieder ander gezin, zo nu en dan problemen waren. Hij geeft echter ook aan dat hij erg veel heeft geleerd van zijn grootvader, die hij toch als wijs en verstandig man beschouwde.
Het boek is niet alleen de levensbeschrijving van de auteur zelf, maar geeft ook, zij het bescheiden, wat inzicht in het persoonlijke leven van Nelson Mandela. Daarnaast, en dat geeft Ndaba ook aan in zijn dankwoord, zijn het bovenal herinneringen die hij zelf heeft meegemaakt, waarbij hij tevens gebruikgemaakt heeft van ‘hulpmiddelen’ als brieven, openbare stukken en filmpjes. Het geheel is gelardeerd met een paar anekdotes en enkele volksverhalen van de Xosha. De auteur merkt daarbij wel op dat het specifiek zijn eigen herinneringen betreft en dat anderen het wellicht anders zien.
Hoewel Ndaba ongetwijfeld niet alles verteld zal hebben, is hij toch heel open. Een aantal voorbeelden daarvan is dat hij er openlijk voor uitkomt dat hij in zijn tienerjaren niet al te hard gestudeerd heeft, dat hij later aardig wat drugs gebruikt heeft en dat hij zich ook wel aan het drinken van te veel alcohol heeft bezondigd. Veel probeerde hij voor zijn grootvader te verzwijgen, maar, zo bekent hij, dat kon hij niet. Daarover had hij dan wel weer een slecht gevoel en stelde hij zich vervolgens kwetsbaar op door veel dingen toch aan Madiba op te biechten. Zijn opa was soms boos, maar vaak vooral teleurgesteld. Maar zijn kleinzoon veroordelen om zijn gedrag, dat heeft hij nooit gedaan. De auteur wil daarmee aangeven dat het Nelson Mandela vooral ging om zijn kleinzoon een aantal levenslessen te leren. Zodat hij later een verstandig en wijs man zou worden.
Natuurlijk kan de auteur er niet aan ontkomen om ook de politieke situatie van Zuid-Afrika aan te halen, in feite is die inherent aan de omstandigheden waarin zijn grootvader heeft verkeerd, zowel voor, tijdens en na zijn gevangenschap. Zoals eigenlijk voor het hele boek geldt, heeft Ndaba daar geen hoogdravend of taai verhaal van gemaakt. De gehanteerde schrijfstijl is toegankelijk en vlot en daardoor leest het boek bijzonder aangenaam. In een van de laatste hoofdstukken wordt het enigszins aangrijpend, dat is wanneer hij vertelt dat zijn grootvader steeds fragieler wordt en uiteindelijk komt te overlijden. Ronduit interessant en leerzaam zijn de wetenswaardigheden over de tradities en rituelen van de Xosha, waar de Mandela’s immers van afstammen.
De belangrijkste reden dat Ndaba Mandela dit boek geschreven heeft, is omdat hij graag ziet dat jongeren niet alleen de rol die zijn grootvader gehad heeft begrijpen, maar ook zijn normen en waarden, vooral die in de strijd tegen de rassenongelijkheid. De moed om te vergeven is meer dan een biografie alleen, het is een eerbetoon aan Nelson Mandela, zijn wijsheid, zijn verstandige levenslessen en zijn gevoel voor rechtvaardigheid. En daarin is de auteur zonder meer geslaagd.
De moed om te vergeven is vooral een beknopte biografie, waarin Ndaba Mandela over onder andere zijn relatie met zijn grootvader, vaak De Oude Man of Madiba genoemd, vertelt, maar ook hoe het was om bij hem op te groeien, over de vele gesprekken die hij met hem gevoerd heeft, maar ook dat hij het niet altijd met hem eens was en dat er, in feite net als in ieder ander gezin, zo nu en dan problemen waren. Hij geeft echter ook aan dat hij erg veel heeft geleerd van zijn grootvader, die hij toch als wijs en verstandig man beschouwde.
Het boek is niet alleen de levensbeschrijving van de auteur zelf, maar geeft ook, zij het bescheiden, wat inzicht in het persoonlijke leven van Nelson Mandela. Daarnaast, en dat geeft Ndaba ook aan in zijn dankwoord, zijn het bovenal herinneringen die hij zelf heeft meegemaakt, waarbij hij tevens gebruikgemaakt heeft van ‘hulpmiddelen’ als brieven, openbare stukken en filmpjes. Het geheel is gelardeerd met een paar anekdotes en enkele volksverhalen van de Xosha. De auteur merkt daarbij wel op dat het specifiek zijn eigen herinneringen betreft en dat anderen het wellicht anders zien.
Hoewel Ndaba ongetwijfeld niet alles verteld zal hebben, is hij toch heel open. Een aantal voorbeelden daarvan is dat hij er openlijk voor uitkomt dat hij in zijn tienerjaren niet al te hard gestudeerd heeft, dat hij later aardig wat drugs gebruikt heeft en dat hij zich ook wel aan het drinken van te veel alcohol heeft bezondigd. Veel probeerde hij voor zijn grootvader te verzwijgen, maar, zo bekent hij, dat kon hij niet. Daarover had hij dan wel weer een slecht gevoel en stelde hij zich vervolgens kwetsbaar op door veel dingen toch aan Madiba op te biechten. Zijn opa was soms boos, maar vaak vooral teleurgesteld. Maar zijn kleinzoon veroordelen om zijn gedrag, dat heeft hij nooit gedaan. De auteur wil daarmee aangeven dat het Nelson Mandela vooral ging om zijn kleinzoon een aantal levenslessen te leren. Zodat hij later een verstandig en wijs man zou worden.
Natuurlijk kan de auteur er niet aan ontkomen om ook de politieke situatie van Zuid-Afrika aan te halen, in feite is die inherent aan de omstandigheden waarin zijn grootvader heeft verkeerd, zowel voor, tijdens en na zijn gevangenschap. Zoals eigenlijk voor het hele boek geldt, heeft Ndaba daar geen hoogdravend of taai verhaal van gemaakt. De gehanteerde schrijfstijl is toegankelijk en vlot en daardoor leest het boek bijzonder aangenaam. In een van de laatste hoofdstukken wordt het enigszins aangrijpend, dat is wanneer hij vertelt dat zijn grootvader steeds fragieler wordt en uiteindelijk komt te overlijden. Ronduit interessant en leerzaam zijn de wetenswaardigheden over de tradities en rituelen van de Xosha, waar de Mandela’s immers van afstammen.
De belangrijkste reden dat Ndaba Mandela dit boek geschreven heeft, is omdat hij graag ziet dat jongeren niet alleen de rol die zijn grootvader gehad heeft begrijpen, maar ook zijn normen en waarden, vooral die in de strijd tegen de rassenongelijkheid. De moed om te vergeven is meer dan een biografie alleen, het is een eerbetoon aan Nelson Mandela, zijn wijsheid, zijn verstandige levenslessen en zijn gevoel voor rechtvaardigheid. En daarin is de auteur zonder meer geslaagd.
December 7, 2020
“Not human beings having a spiritual experience, but Spiritual beings having a human experience.”
Madiba-Xhosa clan name
Rolihlahla
This was Mr Mandela’s birth name: it is an isiXhosa name that means “pulling the branch of a tree”, but colloquially it means “troublemaker”. His father gave him this name.
Nelson
This name was given to him on his first day at school by his teacher, Miss Mdingane. Giving African children English names was a custom among Africans in those days and was influenced by British colonials who could not easily, and often would not, pronounce African names. It is unclear why Miss Mdingane chose the name “Nelson” for Mr Mandela.
Madiba
This is the name of the clan of which Mr Mandela was a member. A clan name is much more important than a surname as it refers to the ancestor from which a person is descended. Madiba was the name of a Thembu chief who ruled in the Transkei in the 18th century. It is considered very polite to use someone’s clan name.
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27 years for anti Apartheid
Going to the mountain
Male Circumcision in South Africa still widely practiced
Rite of passage for young men
informal learning process during which older men transfer the knowledge and skills that they deem necessary for being an adult male in their society. These teachings can include information about the cultural group and its rituals, relationships, adult roles and responsibilities, and respecting your parents
Racism is a cultural cancer.
Powerful nations that live in deep denial of the malignant racism effecting their culture.
Pitting of memory against forgetting
The tallest tree catches the harshest breeze
Silly and soft hearted with children
“All those years in jail I never heard the sound of children.”
Born 1918 rural Africa
A giant
A National treasure
The power to change your story and for your story to change others. Other worlds around you and within you.
The past injustices and racism
It should shame and grate like sandpaper on your consciousness.
After apartheid there was still a deeply ingrained stubbornness to accept the other.
Coretta Scott King Quotes
Struggle is a never ending process. Freedom is never really won, you earn it and win it in every generation.
The arc of the moral universe is long but it bends towards justice.
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/g/...
https://www.cia.gov/library/publicati...
Distribution of family income - Gini index measures the degree of inequality in the distribution of family income in a country. The more nearly equal a country's income distribution, the lower its Gini index, e.g., a Scandinavian country with an index of 25. The more unequal a country's income distribution, the higher its Gini index, e.g., a Sub-Saharan country with an index of 50. If income were distributed with perfect equality the index would be zero; if income were distributed with perfect inequality, the index would be 100.
USA rank 39 of - ibex 45.0 as of 2007
The worlds perception of Africa
Disney version of Africa
“Look how many people treat their dogs better than other human beings.”
Africa Rising
15% white population controlled 90% of wealth in South Africa
October 22, 2018
Het boek op zich is een plaatje. De foto straalt de kracht uit die we van Mandela kennen, een mooie donkere, sterke man op leeftijd. Hij dwingt alleen maar respect af, zelfs op papier. Ik ben altijd al gefascineerd door de man Mandela en waar hij voor stond. Ik heb veel boeken van/over hem gelezen. Dat aspect zorgde er wel voor dat veel dingen uit dit boek me bekend voorkwamen en daarmee onderschrijft Ndaba veel van wat Mandela zelf ook heeft verteld. Vernieuwend is het dan ook alleen omdat het vanuit Ndaba is geschreven. De vertellingen vanuit de Xhosa zijn goed van toepassing in de fase waarin het verhaal zich op dat moment begeeft. Het gevoel dat Ndaba een eerbetoon schrijft was er niet. Wel dat hij graag uitspreekt hoe het was om bij hem op te groeien. Opvallend is dat hij geregeld toegeeft zaken zich niet goed te herinneren. Dat kan gezien zijn leeftijd en de omstandigheden van toen ook niet. Het gevoel dat Ndaba dit boek heeft geschreven en zich geregeld wat heeft laten influisteren laat me dan ook niet los. Hij kan bepaalde zaken gewoon niet weten zonder de kennis van anderen te gebruiken. Vanwege zijn leeftijd of omdat hij er gewoon niet bij aanwezig kan zijn geweest. Doet dat iets af het boek? Nee. Het verhaal bevat veel mooie en indringende momenten en belicht Madiba net vanuit een andere hoek.
Nelson Mandela blijft fascinerend, alsof je nooit genoeg krijgt van alles wat met hem te maken heeft. Ik heb dit boek dan ook graag gelezen. Zijn leven, zijn gevecht, de onrechtvaardigheid tegenover zijn overtuigingen maar vooral zijn rust, de uitstraling en zijn charisma. Daar krijg je elke keer weer kippenvel van. Ongeacht wie daarover schrijft. Dat Ndaba als kleinzoon zijn verhaal nu doet geeft het iets persoonlijks, op een andere manier dan eerdere boeken die ik las. Het verhaal leest prettig weg, de foto's zijn een mooi extraatje en alles zit goed in elkaar. De Afrikaanse gezegdes/wijsheden zijn wellicht onuitspreekbaar gebleken maar geven het boek een aparte sfeer.
'Een hoge boom vangt veel wind.'
Mandela was een voorbeeld en inspiratie voor velen, ook voor Ndaba. Maar ook het gemis, de politieke druk en de invloed van de publieke opinie spelen een prominente rol in hun leven. Dat maakte het leven van het jochie met de vechtstok uit Soweto bijzonder maar zeker niet benijdenswaardig. Natuurlijk gaat het verhaal over apartheid, mensenrechten en vooral het gebrek daaraan. Toch heeft Ndaba het boek een persoonlijke identiteit weten te geven en daardoor alleen al is het boek meer dan het lezen waard.
Het leven van Nelson Mandela diende een ideaal, een levensdoel. Hij was bereid om voor zijn ideaal te sterven. Tot op hoge leeftijd bleef Mandela een voorvechter van zijn idealen en een scherpe gesprekspartner. De band met zijn kleinzoon is volgens dit boek heel bijzonder geweest. Het boek is dat ook.
Vier mooie sterren.
Nelson Mandela blijft fascinerend, alsof je nooit genoeg krijgt van alles wat met hem te maken heeft. Ik heb dit boek dan ook graag gelezen. Zijn leven, zijn gevecht, de onrechtvaardigheid tegenover zijn overtuigingen maar vooral zijn rust, de uitstraling en zijn charisma. Daar krijg je elke keer weer kippenvel van. Ongeacht wie daarover schrijft. Dat Ndaba als kleinzoon zijn verhaal nu doet geeft het iets persoonlijks, op een andere manier dan eerdere boeken die ik las. Het verhaal leest prettig weg, de foto's zijn een mooi extraatje en alles zit goed in elkaar. De Afrikaanse gezegdes/wijsheden zijn wellicht onuitspreekbaar gebleken maar geven het boek een aparte sfeer.
'Een hoge boom vangt veel wind.'
Mandela was een voorbeeld en inspiratie voor velen, ook voor Ndaba. Maar ook het gemis, de politieke druk en de invloed van de publieke opinie spelen een prominente rol in hun leven. Dat maakte het leven van het jochie met de vechtstok uit Soweto bijzonder maar zeker niet benijdenswaardig. Natuurlijk gaat het verhaal over apartheid, mensenrechten en vooral het gebrek daaraan. Toch heeft Ndaba het boek een persoonlijke identiteit weten te geven en daardoor alleen al is het boek meer dan het lezen waard.
Het leven van Nelson Mandela diende een ideaal, een levensdoel. Hij was bereid om voor zijn ideaal te sterven. Tot op hoge leeftijd bleef Mandela een voorvechter van zijn idealen en een scherpe gesprekspartner. De band met zijn kleinzoon is volgens dit boek heel bijzonder geweest. Het boek is dat ook.
Vier mooie sterren.
September 7, 2018
This book is a unique view of Nelson Mandela. It is written by his grandson, Ndaba, and it tells the story of being brought up by Mandela, and what it meant to have him as an example, a mentor and the patriarch of the family. Of course, he was not the usual patriarchal figure because for 27 years he was not there. He was in prison. Ndaba Mandela did not meet his grandfather until he was seven years old, and the meeting took place in Victor Verster prison, a few months before his release. In those years between Ndaba’s birth and the release of his grandfather, the Mandela family endured the constant harassment of the apartheid security police. Winnie Mandela was arrested, imprisoned, tortured, banned and sent into internal exile. Her daughters, Zenani and Zindzi Mandela, had to be sent to school in Swaziland to escape the constant harassment that was inflicted on them. Mandela’s eldest son, Thembi, was killed in a car accident, and Mandela was not allowed to attend his funeral. Ndaba escaped from this by going to live with his grandmother, Evelyn, Mandela’s first wife, who had left him when she joined the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Ndaba lived with her in Cofimvaba, a small town in the Eastern Cape, until his parents decided that he should come to live with them in Soweto. It was not an easy childhood by any means.
But his family took a life-changing decision for Ndaba when he was eleven years old. It was decided that he would go and live with his grandfather. By now, the date for the election had been set and Mandela was campaigning for the Presidency, to which he was inaugurated on 10th May 1994. So Ndaba was living there with an icon of the struggle, just at the point of transformation. What we have is an insider’s view of what was happening remembered from the point of view of a child.
It is a remarkable tale. We see how the two began to grow together, learning to live with each, to respect each other and through the process of getting to know each other becoming friends.
The phrase “going to the mountain” is used for the initiation ceremony of Xhosa boys into manhood. It is a period when the initiates are kept away from their families and begin to learn about the history and rituals of their people, and the duties of a man. It ends with circumcision and recovery from that rite. It is an indication of Mandela’s view of the world that he had no doubt that this ceremony was important and that he had a role to play in preparing his grandson for it.
This book gives a view of Nelson Mandela that only his sons (now both dead) and his grandsons, such as Ndaba, were familiar with. His sons, of course, did not really get to know him like this because he was in prison when their initiations took place. Nor is it something that Mandela talked about in his autobiography. But this respect for tradition is probably essential towards an understanding of the man.
This is a short book. It is easy to read. It gives a view of Mandela that you will not otherwise have. It is, for that reason, an important book.
But his family took a life-changing decision for Ndaba when he was eleven years old. It was decided that he would go and live with his grandfather. By now, the date for the election had been set and Mandela was campaigning for the Presidency, to which he was inaugurated on 10th May 1994. So Ndaba was living there with an icon of the struggle, just at the point of transformation. What we have is an insider’s view of what was happening remembered from the point of view of a child.
It is a remarkable tale. We see how the two began to grow together, learning to live with each, to respect each other and through the process of getting to know each other becoming friends.
The phrase “going to the mountain” is used for the initiation ceremony of Xhosa boys into manhood. It is a period when the initiates are kept away from their families and begin to learn about the history and rituals of their people, and the duties of a man. It ends with circumcision and recovery from that rite. It is an indication of Mandela’s view of the world that he had no doubt that this ceremony was important and that he had a role to play in preparing his grandson for it.
This book gives a view of Nelson Mandela that only his sons (now both dead) and his grandsons, such as Ndaba, were familiar with. His sons, of course, did not really get to know him like this because he was in prison when their initiations took place. Nor is it something that Mandela talked about in his autobiography. But this respect for tradition is probably essential towards an understanding of the man.
This is a short book. It is easy to read. It gives a view of Mandela that you will not otherwise have. It is, for that reason, an important book.
December 14, 2021
Audiobook.
I'm not sure this one entirely deserves 4 stars. But I ultimately landed there because I did really enjoy it. It comes from a really interesting perspective - one of Nelson Mandela's grandchildren who spent his later childhood years (starting at 11) living with his grandfather, which gives him some unique insight into what Madiba was like as a father figure, as a family leader, and then as an elderly and frail man until his death. And Ndaba hasn't been embroiled in controversy the way some of the other grandchildren have, so his was a perspective I wasn't as worried about being tainted. His is also an interesting perspective because his family went from being poor (the patriarch spent decades in prison, and the others tried to keep a low profile or were scattered for their name which fractured the family) to suddenly being thrust into the highest echelons of society when his grandfather left prison and became president.
The author didn't shy away from noting that he wasn't much of a great ambassador of the family name as a kid and a young adult - terrible in school, drinking and smoking too much, and all around being the young person that many are, but don't have to do it attached to the Mandela name. He also discussed the ordeal of having both his parents die of HIV/AIDS, which was the first time his grandfather really took on the mantle of it - though many lament the perception that he completely ignored the crisis while president.
I liked the way he wove his grandfather's lessons into his own life story, and the fables that his grandfather liked to tell to illustrate the lessons. That was probably my favorite part of the book - how he learned (or didn't learn until much later) the things his grandfather tried to teach him.
The real complaint I have is really about the pretty excessive use of really casual speech, but not enough to make it that sort of book, but thrown in often "and then I was like" "and then HE was like" etc. It sort of jarred, at least in the audio book.
And speaking of the audiobook, I was really happy that the author read the introduction - and he really does sound like his grandfather. The book performer also did a very good job at sounding fairly authentically South African. He did a performance of Long Walk to Freedom, so I suppose he was well versed in the accent by this time.
I'm not sure this one entirely deserves 4 stars. But I ultimately landed there because I did really enjoy it. It comes from a really interesting perspective - one of Nelson Mandela's grandchildren who spent his later childhood years (starting at 11) living with his grandfather, which gives him some unique insight into what Madiba was like as a father figure, as a family leader, and then as an elderly and frail man until his death. And Ndaba hasn't been embroiled in controversy the way some of the other grandchildren have, so his was a perspective I wasn't as worried about being tainted. His is also an interesting perspective because his family went from being poor (the patriarch spent decades in prison, and the others tried to keep a low profile or were scattered for their name which fractured the family) to suddenly being thrust into the highest echelons of society when his grandfather left prison and became president.
The author didn't shy away from noting that he wasn't much of a great ambassador of the family name as a kid and a young adult - terrible in school, drinking and smoking too much, and all around being the young person that many are, but don't have to do it attached to the Mandela name. He also discussed the ordeal of having both his parents die of HIV/AIDS, which was the first time his grandfather really took on the mantle of it - though many lament the perception that he completely ignored the crisis while president.
I liked the way he wove his grandfather's lessons into his own life story, and the fables that his grandfather liked to tell to illustrate the lessons. That was probably my favorite part of the book - how he learned (or didn't learn until much later) the things his grandfather tried to teach him.
The real complaint I have is really about the pretty excessive use of really casual speech, but not enough to make it that sort of book, but thrown in often "and then I was like" "and then HE was like" etc. It sort of jarred, at least in the audio book.
And speaking of the audiobook, I was really happy that the author read the introduction - and he really does sound like his grandfather. The book performer also did a very good job at sounding fairly authentically South African. He did a performance of Long Walk to Freedom, so I suppose he was well versed in the accent by this time.
July 7, 2022
3.5 stars, book group theme: read about a country you would like to know more about.
I wanted to read about an African country but the small library I borrowed from didn’t have much to offer, but this book caught my eye. Written by one of Nelson Mandela’s grandsons about living with the Old Man (as he often calls him) as a teenager and young man, this is a collection of lessons Ndaba Mandela learned from his grandfather. In the process the book tells something of what South Africa was like in the period around the end of apartheid, as Ndaba was part of the last by generation that would grow up with a memory of those laws. His family was deeply fractured by Madiba’s decades in jail and the horrible restrictions of apartheid, and Ndaba’s parents’ alcoholism.
The book is written in a very casual tone, perhaps to relate to younger readers, or perhaps just as a reflection of how modern young South Africans talk.
The author’s foundation, Africa Rising, sounds very interesting, and if all this book achieves is to show people that young South Africans are not growing up in huts with lions roaming around, but listening to hip hop and smoking more weed than they should, wearing school uniforms and worrying about girls (basically the same lives as American or British boys with a few cultural differences) the author may count that as a success.
The deeply patriarchal culture of his upbringing bugged me. I’m not sure how to find a middle ground between respecting traditional culture and wanting better for the women who have to live with these men. I hope that feminism might end up part of the Africa Rising movement. Btw the title refers to a male coming of age/circumcision ritual that the author describes in some detail but not too graphically.
In general the book was interesting and it was a different perspective on a great leader in his final years. Not a man who claimed to do everything right but a man who did his best to help his people and then stepped aside to let a new generation continue the work of rebuilding a country so unequal and divided it’s hard to believe it could function at all.
I wanted to read about an African country but the small library I borrowed from didn’t have much to offer, but this book caught my eye. Written by one of Nelson Mandela’s grandsons about living with the Old Man (as he often calls him) as a teenager and young man, this is a collection of lessons Ndaba Mandela learned from his grandfather. In the process the book tells something of what South Africa was like in the period around the end of apartheid, as Ndaba was part of the last by generation that would grow up with a memory of those laws. His family was deeply fractured by Madiba’s decades in jail and the horrible restrictions of apartheid, and Ndaba’s parents’ alcoholism.
The book is written in a very casual tone, perhaps to relate to younger readers, or perhaps just as a reflection of how modern young South Africans talk.
The author’s foundation, Africa Rising, sounds very interesting, and if all this book achieves is to show people that young South Africans are not growing up in huts with lions roaming around, but listening to hip hop and smoking more weed than they should, wearing school uniforms and worrying about girls (basically the same lives as American or British boys with a few cultural differences) the author may count that as a success.
The deeply patriarchal culture of his upbringing bugged me. I’m not sure how to find a middle ground between respecting traditional culture and wanting better for the women who have to live with these men. I hope that feminism might end up part of the Africa Rising movement. Btw the title refers to a male coming of age/circumcision ritual that the author describes in some detail but not too graphically.
In general the book was interesting and it was a different perspective on a great leader in his final years. Not a man who claimed to do everything right but a man who did his best to help his people and then stepped aside to let a new generation continue the work of rebuilding a country so unequal and divided it’s hard to believe it could function at all.
April 13, 2020
A beautiful book. The reason I had picked it up was the fact that it's written by Mandela's grandson Ndaba, so, I had expected that I would get an insight about what Mandela was like in his daily life, and, the book is as expected.
.
It's a book in which the author, Ndaba tells his life story, how he was inspired by his grandfather, the Legend, Nelson Mandela, and how this man helped him grow , and how he had supported him. Moreover, we come to know about the principles Mandela followed, the visions he had, and how he fought for the cause of his people, to free Africans from apartheid (segregation on the basis of skin , in 1940s, which enabled White people have more privileges, whole the rights of the Blacks were curtailed). And we get to know how very sincere Mandela was with his cause, to do good for his country people, by fighting against AIDS in South Africa, till his last days.
Another thing I liked about this book is how it gave us some insight about the African culture, the rituals and traditions, their pros and cons.
.
Some lessons from this book:-
*The person who is the most influential and does not blindly follows the norms, is disliked the most. This encourages individuals to not blindly follow anything, but rather use intellect.
*You cannot be right by just proving others wrong. But by striving to do the right.
*Experience teaches a man. A man, who just lives at a single place and does follows suit of the same people doesn't do anything innovative.
.
For the rest of the lessons, I recommend you to read this book. In Nelson Mandela's autobiography , A Long Walk to Freedom (a book in my tbr), you will only get to learn about his political thinking. While this book would offer lessons from his personal life, so, give it a read.
.
It's a book in which the author, Ndaba tells his life story, how he was inspired by his grandfather, the Legend, Nelson Mandela, and how this man helped him grow , and how he had supported him. Moreover, we come to know about the principles Mandela followed, the visions he had, and how he fought for the cause of his people, to free Africans from apartheid (segregation on the basis of skin , in 1940s, which enabled White people have more privileges, whole the rights of the Blacks were curtailed). And we get to know how very sincere Mandela was with his cause, to do good for his country people, by fighting against AIDS in South Africa, till his last days.
Another thing I liked about this book is how it gave us some insight about the African culture, the rituals and traditions, their pros and cons.
.
Some lessons from this book:-
*The person who is the most influential and does not blindly follows the norms, is disliked the most. This encourages individuals to not blindly follow anything, but rather use intellect.
*You cannot be right by just proving others wrong. But by striving to do the right.
*Experience teaches a man. A man, who just lives at a single place and does follows suit of the same people doesn't do anything innovative.
.
For the rest of the lessons, I recommend you to read this book. In Nelson Mandela's autobiography , A Long Walk to Freedom (a book in my tbr), you will only get to learn about his political thinking. While this book would offer lessons from his personal life, so, give it a read.
March 13, 2021
This short, marvelous book moved me to tears.
Fascinating insight into what it was like to be a kid growing up in the household of his grandfather, who happened to be one of the greatest figures in history in his own lifetime. A man of such wisdom and compassion that, after 27 years in prison, said,
'Freedom is indivisible. The oppressor must be liberated just as surely as the oppressed. A man who takes away another man's freedom is a prisoner of hatred, he is locked behind bars of prejudice. The oppressed and the oppressor alike are robbed of their humanity.'
Imagine teaching that, just at the time when the black majority had power to turn on their oppressors.
I kept smiling throughout at the Old Man's wisdom and admonitions to his grandson, especially as they sounded so much like what my grandfather said to me at that age. Focus on your studies. Take personal responsibility. Earn self respect. Of course, like Ndaba, we only appreciate the value of such advice much later.
Reading this, Mandela's overwhelming compassion and humility makes me less pessimistic for humankind. ('Hello, I'm Nelson Mandela,' the most famous person in the world would say to strangers he hadn't met.). I see people getting caught in a spiral of vindictiveness on Twitter, a ridiculous, divisive culture war between woke and and anti woke turning friends into foes, polarizing everyone into extreme and indefensible positions.
Mandela was so far above all that. Just a smile from him would melt away such nonsense.
Fascinating insight into what it was like to be a kid growing up in the household of his grandfather, who happened to be one of the greatest figures in history in his own lifetime. A man of such wisdom and compassion that, after 27 years in prison, said,
'Freedom is indivisible. The oppressor must be liberated just as surely as the oppressed. A man who takes away another man's freedom is a prisoner of hatred, he is locked behind bars of prejudice. The oppressed and the oppressor alike are robbed of their humanity.'
Imagine teaching that, just at the time when the black majority had power to turn on their oppressors.
I kept smiling throughout at the Old Man's wisdom and admonitions to his grandson, especially as they sounded so much like what my grandfather said to me at that age. Focus on your studies. Take personal responsibility. Earn self respect. Of course, like Ndaba, we only appreciate the value of such advice much later.
Reading this, Mandela's overwhelming compassion and humility makes me less pessimistic for humankind. ('Hello, I'm Nelson Mandela,' the most famous person in the world would say to strangers he hadn't met.). I see people getting caught in a spiral of vindictiveness on Twitter, a ridiculous, divisive culture war between woke and and anti woke turning friends into foes, polarizing everyone into extreme and indefensible positions.
Mandela was so far above all that. Just a smile from him would melt away such nonsense.
September 15, 2020
How does one write a review about other persons’ personal experience? This book is Ndaba Mandelas’ autobiography written to tell about his experience being raised by his granddad Nelson Mandela. It was not only his story, but also dedication to his “Old Man” about everything he was honored to learn from this powerful man.
Up until now, I had a pretty straight-forward “what I learned in my history class” impression about Nelson Mandela. This book helped to shape a little more of an opinion about him, about the history of South Africa and about things we tend to not “see” living in another country, continent, and let’s be honest, feels like a different world. I am grateful that I stumbled upon this book in my local bookstore. Once in a while, I need to read something raw and down to earth. This book provides exactly that kind of read. This story has revealed part of the history.
While I read this book, some parts of the book felt quite childish and some actions I could not justify, but now, after I have finished it, I see why the author decided to write it that way. Because it is the truth – life is as ugly and messy as some chapters in this book. And we all are allowed to regret what we have done.
Up until now, I had a pretty straight-forward “what I learned in my history class” impression about Nelson Mandela. This book helped to shape a little more of an opinion about him, about the history of South Africa and about things we tend to not “see” living in another country, continent, and let’s be honest, feels like a different world. I am grateful that I stumbled upon this book in my local bookstore. Once in a while, I need to read something raw and down to earth. This book provides exactly that kind of read. This story has revealed part of the history.
While I read this book, some parts of the book felt quite childish and some actions I could not justify, but now, after I have finished it, I see why the author decided to write it that way. Because it is the truth – life is as ugly and messy as some chapters in this book. And we all are allowed to regret what we have done.
October 29, 2018
A beautifully written and insightful book about being Nelson Manela's Grandson. What he experienced growing up in his Grandfathers home and the lessons he learned from a great man. I really enjoyed reading this book.
There were some areas that caused a stumbling point for me. Ndaba compares Cinderella to a African folk story which has some similarities, however he states that the Cinderella version is all beautiful and everyone lives happily ever after with no dark elements of the story. The African version has all the blood and gore of real life. I can only assume that Ndaba has only ever seen the Disney versions of Cinderella and never actually read Grimm's Fairy Tales, whereby there is plenty of blood and gore.
I also surprised to find out what "Going to the Mountain" actually represents. To me it's barbaric and unnecessary, why does a man have to put themselves through that level of pain, risk of infection, disfigurement and possibly even death to prove they are a man. However we are culturally different and Ndaba is an adult that consents to take part is this tradition.
To me everything that Nelson Mandela achieved within his life, the dignity that he displayed with everything he faced proved him to be a great man, far more that "Going to the Mountain" did.
I'd highly recommend this book.
There were some areas that caused a stumbling point for me. Ndaba compares Cinderella to a African folk story which has some similarities, however he states that the Cinderella version is all beautiful and everyone lives happily ever after with no dark elements of the story. The African version has all the blood and gore of real life. I can only assume that Ndaba has only ever seen the Disney versions of Cinderella and never actually read Grimm's Fairy Tales, whereby there is plenty of blood and gore.
I also surprised to find out what "Going to the Mountain" actually represents. To me it's barbaric and unnecessary, why does a man have to put themselves through that level of pain, risk of infection, disfigurement and possibly even death to prove they are a man. However we are culturally different and Ndaba is an adult that consents to take part is this tradition.
To me everything that Nelson Mandela achieved within his life, the dignity that he displayed with everything he faced proved him to be a great man, far more that "Going to the Mountain" did.
I'd highly recommend this book.
January 26, 2021
As a human rights student, Nelson Mandela (AKA Madiba) is one of my idols. I’ve written a few papers on him and I love how he raised awareness on Black empowerment, education, HIV/AIDs, and equality between Black and White South Africans. I've read lots about and by him so when I found a book by his grandson I just had to get it!
Ndaba Mandela, Nelson Mandela’s grandson, moved in with his grandfather when he was 11 years old shortly after Mandela was released from prison. His grandfather was basically a stranger however, over time they became extremely close and Mandela became a father figure to Ndaba. In this memoir, Ndaba shares all of the life lessons he learned from his grandfather. We see a side of Mandela that we haven’t seen and we’re reminded that he also is a human like the rest of us.
I really enjoyed this book and I could not put it down. Ndaba Mandela is a very talented author. I laughed, I cried, and in some moments even felt that I was apart of this family. The author includes issues of poverty, family relationships, HIV/AIDs, fame, education, and so much more. It is obvious that Ndaba is as passionate as his grandfather. I highly recommend this memoir to those who would like to learn about Nelson Mandela and South African life in general. I am disappointed though that this memoir isn't as popular as it should be.
Ndaba Mandela, Nelson Mandela’s grandson, moved in with his grandfather when he was 11 years old shortly after Mandela was released from prison. His grandfather was basically a stranger however, over time they became extremely close and Mandela became a father figure to Ndaba. In this memoir, Ndaba shares all of the life lessons he learned from his grandfather. We see a side of Mandela that we haven’t seen and we’re reminded that he also is a human like the rest of us.
I really enjoyed this book and I could not put it down. Ndaba Mandela is a very talented author. I laughed, I cried, and in some moments even felt that I was apart of this family. The author includes issues of poverty, family relationships, HIV/AIDs, fame, education, and so much more. It is obvious that Ndaba is as passionate as his grandfather. I highly recommend this memoir to those who would like to learn about Nelson Mandela and South African life in general. I am disappointed though that this memoir isn't as popular as it should be.
October 4, 2021
Going to the Mountain is narrated by Nelson Mandela’s grandson, Ndaba Mandela. It offers an unconventional view into the life of the great leader, in context of his family and to an extent his personal life.
This is the first piece of formal text I have read on Nelson Mandela, and has definitely spurred the urge to explore more. Overall it is a nice read that brings out the various causes the leader stood for (end of apartheid, openness to acknowledging HIV / AIDS as any other disease, fighting racism with compassion and forgiveness).
Extracts from the book :
- the tallest tree catches the harshest wind … if nobody’s mad at you, you’re probably not doing anything great or important
- what would happen if the desire to do right won out over the desire to prove somebody else wrong?
- telling someone they’re wrong has never once in the history of the world convinced anyone that you’re right
- Ubuntu: that profound African sense that we are human only through the humanity of other beings
- the heroes who fall hardest are the ones who buy into their own PR
This is the first piece of formal text I have read on Nelson Mandela, and has definitely spurred the urge to explore more. Overall it is a nice read that brings out the various causes the leader stood for (end of apartheid, openness to acknowledging HIV / AIDS as any other disease, fighting racism with compassion and forgiveness).
Extracts from the book :
- the tallest tree catches the harshest wind … if nobody’s mad at you, you’re probably not doing anything great or important
- what would happen if the desire to do right won out over the desire to prove somebody else wrong?
- telling someone they’re wrong has never once in the history of the world convinced anyone that you’re right
- Ubuntu: that profound African sense that we are human only through the humanity of other beings
- the heroes who fall hardest are the ones who buy into their own PR
September 22, 2025
Notes/highlights I want to remember from the book:
“No one who was born with less opportunity than you is asking for your pity. They don’t need your charity. They are asking for your respect, an honest recognition of the mountain they have already climbed just to survive as far as the point at which others started.”
“Ubuntu is, in the Old Man’s words, “that profound African sense that we are human only through the humanity of other beings.”
“There is no beast that does not roar in its own den.”
You alone reign over your own spirit. No weight, no spear, no oppressor can take that self-sovereignty from you.”
“It’s not just that you share what you have; it’s that you anticipate the needs of another and you’ve already made sure your own house is in order so you are in a position to care for others. A better way of addressing yourself is the first step to lifting up the community around you. You empower yourself, and then you reach out to others.”
“No one who was born with less opportunity than you is asking for your pity. They don’t need your charity. They are asking for your respect, an honest recognition of the mountain they have already climbed just to survive as far as the point at which others started.”
“Ubuntu is, in the Old Man’s words, “that profound African sense that we are human only through the humanity of other beings.”
“There is no beast that does not roar in its own den.”
You alone reign over your own spirit. No weight, no spear, no oppressor can take that self-sovereignty from you.”
“It’s not just that you share what you have; it’s that you anticipate the needs of another and you’ve already made sure your own house is in order so you are in a position to care for others. A better way of addressing yourself is the first step to lifting up the community around you. You empower yourself, and then you reach out to others.”
August 1, 2019
Knowing little to nothing about Mandela and his time as president, Going to the Mountain gave a beautiful insight into the history of Africa. I was pleasantly surprised by how engaging this account was, both funny and wise simultaneously. For those that haven’t been exposed to much black culture I would really recommend reading this. It sheds light to the harsh reality of white supremacy and how others were treated. Bringing understanding to black culture and connection of family alongside the journey to adulthood. I was fascinated by how Mandela continuously opted for peace, peaceful revenge and a harmony for all cultures and races in unity.
A beautiful read, and a must for the politically engaged and those interested in black culture and history. A beautiful account of growth and the importance of family. (4.5 stars)
A beautiful read, and a must for the politically engaged and those interested in black culture and history. A beautiful account of growth and the importance of family. (4.5 stars)
March 16, 2023
I read this through Libby app and enjoyed it well enough. Audiobooks are not my favorite format for consuming written material, but apart from that, the book felt fairly well-written. It seemed to be to be a little unfocused in its pacing and style chapter to chapter, but that may have merely been my perception of it as an audiobook vs a print copy.
I also anticipated a little more subject matter related to apartheid and Nelson Mandela’s work and history. This story really picks up (mainly) with Mandela’s late life, after he is released from prison. Accordingly, while it was written with an intriguing familiarity and personal insight, I felt like I kept waiting for the real story to begin. Ndaba (Nelson Mandela’s grandson) is an interesting figure, but this is truly more his own autobiography than a look at his grandad’s life.
I also anticipated a little more subject matter related to apartheid and Nelson Mandela’s work and history. This story really picks up (mainly) with Mandela’s late life, after he is released from prison. Accordingly, while it was written with an intriguing familiarity and personal insight, I felt like I kept waiting for the real story to begin. Ndaba (Nelson Mandela’s grandson) is an interesting figure, but this is truly more his own autobiography than a look at his grandad’s life.
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