Good Morning, Mr. Mandela

A Memoir

By: Zelda la Grange

Narrated by: Adjoa Andoh, Zelda la Grange

Length: 14 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

A white Afrikaner, Zelda la Grange grew up in segregated South Africa, supporting the regime and the rules of apartheid. Her conservative family referred to the imprisoned Nelson Mandela as "a terrorist". Yet just a few years after his release and the end of apartheid, she would be traveling the world by Mr. Mandela’s side, having grown to respect and cherish the man she would come to call "Khulu", or "Grandfather".

Good Morning, Mr. Mandela tells the extraordinary story of how a young woman’s life, beliefs, prejudices - everything she once believed - were utterly transformed by the man she had been taught was the enemy. It is the incredible journey of an awkward, terrified young secretary in her 20s who rose from a job in a government typing pool to become one of the president’s most loyal and devoted associates.

This audiobook offers a rare, intimate portrait of Nelson Mandela and his remarkable life as well as moving proof of the power we all have to change. Includes an introduction read by the author as well as an author interview.

©2014 Zelda la Grange Proprietary Ltd. Recorded by arrangement withAllen Lane, an imprint of Penguin Books. (P)2014 W.F. Howes Ltd.

Critic reviews

"This story proves the power of making politics personal and is an important reminder of the lessons Madiba taught us all." (President Bill Clinton)

"President Nelson Mandela’s choice of the young Afrikaner typist Zelda la Grange as his most trusted aide embodied his commitment to reconciliation in South Africa. She repaid his trust with loyalty and integrity. I have the highest regard for her." (Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu)

Terrible Accent by the Narrator

I have enjoyed Adjoa Andoh's readings of The No 1 Ladies Detective Agency, and even though she acted in "Invictus", a movie about Nelson Mandela, she simply cannot do a credible or authentic accent of either Zelda la Grange or Nelson Mandela. I cannot understand why producers of audiobooks about Nelson Mandela have failed so monumentally in getting narrators that can do the job.

There are plenty of competent South Africans who would read this book and get the pronunciation of "la Grange" and "Mandela" correct. An example would be the person who interviews Zelda la Grange at the end of the book.

It is agonizing for a South African to listen to 14 hours of mangled words like this. I'm returning this book in disgust at the publishers. Sorry, Zelda!

Great book, Poor Nareation

I listened to about a third of it and couldn’t finish it because of the mispronounced place names, bad accents etc. I will buy the book and read it instead.

Wonderful Book- Narrator should have been South African

As a South African I absolutely adored this story but had to cringe with the bad pronunciation of so many words and accents.

Touching, authentic account of serving an icon

Touching, first hand account of a special relationship with Madiba! So sad to read about the events at the end of his life

powerful beyond meassure

I grew up in South Africa, never really understanding the greatness that Mr Madiba shared to kindly.
The book is a wonderful telling of experiences and growth, of loving fiercely and of saying goodbye. At points I laughed with her self directed jokes and sobbed my heart out at the loss we all suffered. I recommend this book whole-heartedly.

This is a must read for anyone who loved Madiba

Would you consider the audio edition of Good Morning, Mr. Mandela to be better than the print version?

Sadly the audio version sounded a little false, although I appreciate the attempt at trying to give the narration an authentic feel, I did not enjoy the false accent used and in places I noticed that the voice did not hold true to the true accent of Zelda, Madiba and others. I could clearly hear that this book was not narrated by an Afrikaans speaking person, but once I accepted this fact I chose to ignore the voice and listen to the words.

What other book might you compare Good Morning, Mr. Mandela to and why?

Goodbye Bafana and Tomorrow is another Country

What aspect of Adjoa Andoh and Zelda la Grange ’s performance would you have changed?

The Accent

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The book is well written, it depicts a great man and an honest account of a person who served him for so long. Moments in the book are very touching and those of us who lived through the transformation can attest to the feelings Zelda had. The bitterness shown towards Zelda towards the end, was sad but also a clear indication of a family trying to reclaim their Father and Grandfather. It must have been hard on the family who had to sacrifice Madiba to an apartheid jail and then once released to the world. Get out the tissues this account is a roller coaster

Any additional comments?

Zelda, you served Tata well. Your background was not conducive to the job, but you transformed and became part of history. Our late President would have been proud of you. Criticism will come, but your account is beautifully told and anyone who offers criticism on you, is doing so, out of jealousy and spite. I heard about the book on Christmas day and hey presto I finished it today. Great book, Jy is regtig waar n opregte Suid Afrikaaner. Jy hoef geensins terug te staan vir niemand hie

Brilliant, touching, heart wrenching

This book is pure gold.

Zelda takes us into her life with Madiba and we learn about him through their close relationship.

This is one of my favorite books.

Zelda deserves a doctorate

This book shows that no other pa could have taken care of Madiba so selfishly. Just like his 27 years you sacrificed your time for him, well done.

Thoroughly enjoyable eye opener!

Me and my wife are down to the sad bit of the book now, so it may be premature to rate it, but we have enjoyed the experience and inside line through Zeldina's experiences thoroughly. I have always been reserved about my opinion of Madiba, but she has dealt with my reservations to the point that I believe that our first black president was sent by God Himself.

Story & Characters brought to Life by Narrator!

I will admit, at first I was confused why Zelda wasn't reading the book herself, but Adjoa Andoh had me involved in the story right until the end. She brought emotion and life to the words! The simple effort to mimic accents was a delight and I appreciated that!