After going to the movie for "Invictus", my postings and your precious comments, some re-reading of "Long Walk to Freedom" (Mandela's autobiography first published in 1994, the year he became president), my expectations towards the newly-released biography were high. Indeed, "Young Mandela" contains explosive revelations on the committed freedom fighter who ruled South Africa and won a Nobel Peace Prize and is sparking controversy... controversy around Mandela's alleged infidelity, a disputed incident of spouse abuse and his emotional neglect of his wives and children...a lot, hem?
It was kind of surprising to me as I didn't imagine young Nelson Mandela as an unfaithful and violent man at home! Perhaps with his companions and in his political fight but with his own family??? He seems to be so kind, now, of course... his commitment to end racism in South Africa and prison have surely left their marks. Well, nevertheless, David James Smith - the journalist who wrote Mandela's biography - doesn't mean to destroy the reputation of South Africa's former president but to portray him more humanly. And he does manage that: heroic in the liberation struggle and in unifying a deeply divided nation, yet a human being, well aware of his flaws who has paid a heavy price for his achievements. Right now, Nelson Mandela is mourning another loss in his already long (life and) list of personal tragedies...the death of his thirteen year old great-granddaughter, Zenani.
For more, click on:
http://www.davidjamessmith.net/
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/africa/article7140034.ece ( 1st EXTRACT from the book)
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/books/book_extracts/article7144681.ece (2nd EXTRACT from the book)
