Good Morning, Mr Mandela by Zelda la Grange

Good Morning, Mr. Mandela is an insightful memoir by Zelda la Grange, who served as Nelson Mandela’s personal assistant for nearly two decades. The book offers a unique perspective on the life and legacy of Mandela, told through the lens of someone who was not only his employee but also developed a close personal relationship with him. La Grange’s memoir is both a tribute to Mandela and a deeply personal reflection on her own transformation from a young woman raised under apartheid to someone who devoted her life to supporting one of its greatest opponents.

Zelda la Grange was born into a conservative Afrikaner family in South Africa during the height of apartheid, and her upbringing was shaped by the racial prejudices common to white South Africans at the time. She grew up believing in the segregationist policies of the regime and feared Nelson Mandela as a “terrorist” figure. However, her life took a dramatic turn when she began working as a typist for the South African government in 1994, shortly after Mandela was elected president. Over time, she became part of his inner circle, eventually becoming his trusted personal assistant, traveling the world by his side, and handling many of his daily affairs.

The book traces la Grange’s evolution as a person, as she confronts the deep-seated prejudices of her past and learns from Mandela’s example of forgiveness, humility, and reconciliation. Through her intimate portrait of Mandela, la Grange sheds light on his personality, his work ethic, his wit, and his boundless compassion. She describes her interactions with him in vivid detail, portraying both the public figure known to the world and the more private, human side of the man she affectionately called “Khulu” (grandfather).

Good Morning, Mr. Mandela offers an insider’s view into the complexities of Mandela’s later years, including his health challenges and his tireless commitment to social causes even after retiring from political life. La Grange also writes candidly about her own emotional journey, detailing how working for Mandela reshaped her views on race, privilege, and humanity.

This memoir is a heartfelt and poignant reflection on the power of personal transformation and the enduring impact that one extraordinary leader can have on the lives of those around him. Through her story, la Grange illustrates how Mandela’s legacy of forgiveness and unity transcended political boundaries and touched individuals in profound ways, including those who once stood on the opposite side of history.