Publisher pulls book on Mandela

WORLD icon Nelson Mandela’s family yesterday expressed delight at the decision by Penguin Random House South Africa publishers (RHSA) to withdraw the publication and distribution of a controversial book that shared intimate details of the former president’s last moments.

The book titled Mandela’s Last Years , written by Dr Vejay Ramlakan, the country’s former surgeon-general who headed Mandela’s medical team till his death in December 2013, was released earlier this month.

It reveals some medical details about Madiba’s ailments and the time he spent in various hospitals in the months leading to his death.

Ramlakan claimed he had received permission from the family to write the book.

However, this was vehemently denied by Mandela’s widow Graça Machel and his grandson Chief Mandla Mandela.

Since the book’s release, there has been an uproar across the globe, with some saying the author had constituted an ethical breach and violated doctor-patient confidentiality.

Machel threatened legal action, with Mandla recently saying the family would support her as they had not given the nod for a book detailing such information to be published.

RHSA, issued a statement saying they would no longer continue publishing and selling the controversial book, saying such a decision came out of respect for Mandela’s family.

RHSA spokesperson Surita Joubert said: “The book was meant to portray Nelson Mandela’s courage and strength until the very end of his life, and was in no way intended to be disrespectful.

“However, given the statements from family members, we have decided to withdraw the book.”

Joubert said they had accepted the book for publication after Ramlakan advised the publisher that he had been requested by Mandela’s family to publish it.

Mandla said his family was delighted by the decision.

“We believe this is the correct choice as it upholds the dignity of our world icon and respects the wishes of his family to guard the sanctity of his last moments.

“We applaud Penguin for acting so decisively and wish to express our sincere appreciation to them for taking heed and being sensitive to the feelings of the family and those entrusted with the protection of Madiba’s legacy,” Mandla said.

He said the family did not know who had given permission to the author to reveal such intimate information about Madiba’s last days, adding that such a person who had given the author the go-ahead needed to be disclosed “so that we may verify and deal with this matter”.

Mandla said the author had acted in bad faith.

“We believe that abuse of the Mandela name and legacy is an act of bad faith and unbecoming of the type of treatment meted out to so brave and noble a legacy.

“Penguin’s decision vindicates our position and we trust that it sends out a loud and clear message that some things are worth more than money,” he said.

Madiba’s grandson further said the family was hopeful that the withdrawal of this book, will send out a strong message “to those who desire to do Madiba’ legacy a disservice”.

Mandla said the publication of the book which made private and personal disclosures of Madiba’s last moments, has put Madiba’s good name and that of his family at risk for paltry gain.

The Nelson Mandela Foundation yesterday said the book had “glaring” inaccuracies. — asandan@dispatch.