Zelda la Grange shares memories, lessons from her career

“Madiba was no saint. He had his own prejudices and stereotypes but he worked at it and tried hard, every day.”
Zelda la Grange, former personal assistant of the late Nelson Mandela was the guest speaker at a Women’s Day function presented by Polokwane-based attorneys firm Davel De Klerk Kgatla Attorneys (DDKK).
La Grange served the former President for 19 years in different capacities until his death and her speech was interspersed with anecdotes of the time she worked with Mandela, cleverly illustrating points she wanted to make.
DDKK, on a biannual basis, sponsors and arranges a function in celebration of Women’s Day. Staff, clients and friends of the firm are invited to attend the function and this year they have invited guests to celebrate womanhood at a high tea in a relaxed manner, but also with the intent that they take back a message of hope to communities that women can achieve extra-ordinary greatness, no matter what.
La Grange has been awarded by a number of organisations for her dedication and service to the late Mandela and she currently serves as the Patron for the First for Women Foundation and Beeld Kinderfonds, and annually acts as a co-ordinator for Bikers for Mandela Day. She is also a part-time employee of the Foundation for Professional Development and continues to inspire people through motivational speaking by sharing her life experiences.
La Grange’s memoirs, ‘Good Morning, Mr Mandela’, published in June 2014 is a story of love and hope in which she shares her life and how serving Mandela has had an impact on her life. In December 2014, the book was declared the Best Seller of the Year in South Africa has been translated into nine languages and is being distributed in 13 countries in addition to all the Commonwealth nations. In February Maven Pictures obtained the rights of ‘Good Morning, Mr Mandela’ for adaptation into a film.
She said we cannot blame society for its wrongs and ills, for we are society and must take responsibility, each for her own life and what we do. She said women must be consistent and not be indifferent, they must be disciplined, show integrity and treat others with respect. She illustrated at the hand of a story that the way a person is approached, will determine how that person will treat you. She also illustrated Mandela’s integrity when people ask her what he would have said about corruption that is rife today by telling a story about a visit to Kuwait, when a bar of soap disappeared from his bathroom and he called all his security guards, asking who took it and threatening to dismiss all if the guilty party did not own up.
La Grange said unethical things were not acceptable even in the small things, and as such bribes should for instance not be paid to traffic officials or videos downloaded illegally.
She urged each woman to start with themselves and stand up for abuse and all that is wrong in society, starting in their own homes.
She said women have lost their selflessness and she blamed leadership for racism that still exists in society, saying they must lead by example. Asked where she sees herself in five or ten years’ time she answered: “Life will take you where you need to be. The right thing will happen at the right time.” She urged women to be confident, stick to principles, stay committed, live life with integrity and passion and do the right thing. “That is what makes you a phenomenal woman.”

Story and photos: NELIE ERASMUS
>>nelie.observer@gmail.com

Featured photo: Zelda La Grange, former personal assistant of the late former President, Nelson Mandela.