KNYSNA NEWS - Nelson Mandela's former private secretary Zelda La Grange was once again a hit at the recent Pezula Captain’s Dinner, having addressed this same function four years ago.
She delighted her audience with stories of her time with the late statesman, and it was pleasing to note that the new leadership changes in our country are something that would have pleased Mandela greatly, according to her.
Zelda recalled how president Mandela was an absolute stickler for time, and was never late for a meeting.
The same principle applied to anyone who arrived late for a meeting with him, and she recounted a meeting at which Robert Mugabe arrived an hour late, and he was corrected in the harshest way possible.
In 1999, president Mandela hand-picked Zelda from his personal staff to remain in his services beyond retirement. He became a "second father" to her, and she still gets emotional when speaking about him.
In June 2014, Zelda published her memoirs entitled "Good Morning Mr Mandela". The book is an international bestseller and is in its 12th print.
In February 2016, New York-based Maven Pictures obtained the rights of the book for adaptation into film. Shawn Slovo (daughter of anti-apartheid struggle heroes Joe Slovo and Ruth First) is currently developing the script.
David Kidd, Pezula’s club captain, said: “It’s the closest I ever got to Madiba, but she did him proud and made our evening memorable.”
Pezula members Simon Eriksen, Rupi Puri and Albert McLean (chair) together with sponsors for the night, Marco Gallizio representing Dynasty Wealth.
'We bring you the latest Knysna, Garden Route news'
