11 / Nelson Mandela : Conversations with Myself

Publisher : Macmillan
Hardcover 2010
ISBN : 978-0-230-74901-6
Reviewed by Dr Dawn Gould

This is a book that will be of interest to individuals who do not necessarily have degrees in history or political science as well as to those who do. A team of archivists and researchers put together papers for the book, got the blessing from the former President on the understanding that he would not be involved. The book has been compiled from Mr Mandela’s personal files: correspondence, transcripts and extracts from the unpublished sequel to his 1994 autobiography (Long Walk to Freedom); notes kept in prison – for example he kept copies of letters in a journal knowing that due to censorship by the prison authorities, the letters may have been withdrawn from posting; anecdotes of life in prison – the dreary days of prison life; protests to the authorities of their refusal to allow him to attend first his mother’s and then his eldest son’s funerals; the pain of separation from his wife, children and other family members; how he retained his dignity and maintained personal discipline after twenty seven years in prison. Within the confines of prison he made every effort to keep occupied and interested in health. For example in January 1984 while incarcerated in Pollsmoor Prison he occupied his time by planting vegetables on a roof of the prison which included two trays of tomatoes.

The point comes across very clearly that this is a man who totally and utterly believed in his mission to free all South Africans from an iniquitous political system to a free society. In his confinement, possibly by supreme control, he appears not to have been lonely. That he must have felt sorrow is obvious but, in my opinion, not despair. A resolute man, and mentally speaking a very strong man.

There are certain questions that he refuses to answer. These are relevant to his emotional and private life. A veil is drawn over his later relationship with his second wife, Winifred Madikizela-Mandela. He does, strongly declare, he was totally against her statement on necklacing. I suspect that in years to come this subject in relation to the former Mrs Mandela, will be further researched and who knows a new publication may be forthcoming.

The last paragraph of the book makes for interesting reading: “One issue that deeply worried me in prison was the false image that I unwittingly projected to the outside world; of being regarded as a saint. I never was one, even on the basis of an earthly definition of a saint as a sinner who keeps on trying.”

Of much interest and value to readers are the following appendices: A Timeline, Maps, Abbreviations for Orangisations, People, Places and Events ( this appendix is of particular usefulness) and a Select Biography.