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  • Good Morning, Mr Mandela

  • By: Zelda la Grange
  • Narrated by: Adjoa Andoh
  • Length: 14 hrs and 9 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (46 ratings)
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Good Morning, Mr Mandela

By: Zelda la Grange
Narrated by: Adjoa Andoh
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Summary

Good Morning, Mr Mandela is the journey of an awkward young typist, later chosen to become the president's most loyal servant, spending most of her adult life travelling with, and caring for the man she would come to call Khulu, or 'grandfather'.

Here Zelda pays tribute to Nelson Mandela as she knew him. A man who forgave and respected all, but who was also frank, teasing, and direct. Now she shares his inspiring gifts with the world.

©2014 Zelda la Grange (P)2014 W F Howes Ltd

What listeners say about Good Morning, Mr Mandela

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    5 out of 5 stars

An amazing story, and a beautiful tribute

Would you listen to Good Morning, Mr Mandela again? Why?

Yes, Zelda learnt so much from Mandela, and I am sure that each time I reread this book, I will always pick up something new from it. I also loved accompanying Zelda through her journey with Madiba. It is a journey I would enjoy taking again.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Good Morning, Mr Mandela?

It is very hard to pick just one. For example, I enjoyed the sweet funny moments with Mandela that just made me smile, for instance he was giving a talk that involved MacDonalds which he simply referred to as "the people who make the sandwiches". (He simply didn't eat at fast food restaurants so he would not have really known about Macdonalds). As well as those moments there are some real heart jerking moments when you remember just what Madiba has been through on Robin Island as a prisoner. In addition to this, you are seeing things through his secretary Zelda's perspective, who herself is being made free from the chains of apartheid that divided South Africa.

Have you listened to any of Adjoa Andoh’s other performances? How does this one compare?

I have not, but I do think that her voice was perfect for this book. I also loved the Afrikaans click every time she said Xhosa and some names that would usually be pronounced with that sound.

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

Both! As I said there where those sweet funny moments with Madiba that just made me smile but I felt very emotional, especially towards the end of the book. I could really sense Zelda's heart ache around the time of Madiba's death. I felt especially sad in the way she was treated towards the end as it was not only insensitive but would not have been what Madiba would have liked. It did make me feel very sad, but then I was also happy looking back throughout the book at the amazing things this man and his secretary had accomplished. I do think it takes a very special book to make you both laugh and cry and this one certainly does!

Any additional comments?

This is a beautiful book, and I feel after reading it I appreciate who Nelson Mandela was that much more. It is personal without being intrusive. It is sensitive without being overly sentimental. It is a balanced account of an incredible journey between a President and his secretary in very challenging times as South Africa overcame Apartheid which is something that affected both whites and blacks. It is also a very important book in the history of South Africa and the world. I love it!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Never thought this book would affect me

Not a book of adulation for nelson. An honest open & inspiring account of how one event can change your whole life for the better. I loved her honesty & self deprecating attitude. I was also delighted that at the end we actually heard her own voice

An inspiring & enthralling read I never expected it would affect me. Thank you selfs for writing this

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Simply put and fascinating

Really enjoyed the openness and simplicity of the factual account, read with clarity and emotion. A humble and emotional read

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Oh South Africa

Cried my eyes out in the last chapter. As a white South African female I really admired Zelda, and as so much of my adult life was experienced in this period it really touched me. Thank you so much Zelda for sharing this with us.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Should have been a South African narrator

Storyline great and insightful but the British Actor impersonating a South African accent was so cringy. As a South African I noted she mispronounced a lot of words and didn’t sound authentic. Such a pity as the story itself is really good.

South Africa has many amazing actors…

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Inspirational!

I really enjoyed listening to it. I find it very very interesting especially how’s Madiba’s life unfolded and evolved.
She met prominent people on Earth e.g. head of estate, prime minster, kings and queen, the pope, celebrities and so on.
I can’t imagine being Zelda. She had a prestigious opportunity that changed her life forever and cannot be repaid by money.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Awfully False South African Accent

I was so looking forward to this book and have managed to get 75% of the way through but the reader's awfully false South African accent is so off putting I'm struggling to find the enthusiasm to complete the book which is such a shame. I with the author had read it herself.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

fantastic read. struggled with the narrator

As a South African I was amazed by the detail and things I did not know.

i did however struggle with the narrator . she could not pronounce the words and sounded like she was over trying. This made it hard to finish the book.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Wonderful

Having lived in South Africa for two years I fell in love with the country and it's people. This book took me back and along the way taught me some valuable life lessons. Fabulous and well worth listening to.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Worst narrator ever!!

I was so excited to listen to this book as I loved Marina and loved the relationship with Zelda. But halfway through chapter one I had to give up. The narrator is absolutely horrible. Trying, but missing it completely, to do an Afrikaans accent. And then I’m not even mentioning her trying to do Madiba’s! Total sacrilege. First time ever I had to return a book. Could not get through one chapter. Such a pity. Will definitely buy the book and read it. But will avoid anything narrated by Adjoa Andoh.

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