Great-grandkids tell Madiba’s story

They may be too young to remember their great-grandfather Nelson Mandela but Zazi, 8, and Ziwelene, 6, are committed to keeping the icon’s memory alive.

The two siblings yesterday spoke about a book they coauthored with their grandmother Zindzi, who is Mandela and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela’s second daughter.

Yesterday Zazi, who is in Grade 2, said the book, which is titled was sparked by their curiosity about their great-grandfather.

“We were asking questions about our great-grandad Mandela,” Zazi said, adding their parents, Zondwa and Lindo Mandela, had encouraged them to ask their grandmother Zindzi for more information.

Zazi, who was wearing a fur coat and a pretty pink bow in her hair, explained how great it was to learn about their greatgrandad’s story.

“We were really excited, because we didn’t know most of the stuff,” she said.

Zazi said part of the process of writing the book involved making video calls to their grandmother and interviewing her.

The book, which features colourful illustrations by Sean Qualls, is based on a series of questions asked by the children about Mandela’s life, as well as the struggle against apartheid and for justice.

In the book Ziwelene asks Zindzi, “Did Grandad have to have his birthday in prison?”

Ziwelene believes the book will inspire children from all walks of life to learn from Mandela’s experiences and fight for a better world.

“They can learn to make a change to the world and make the world a better place. They can learn about the struggle and how South Africa was in the past,” he said.

Ziwelene, who said he would like to write a similar book about his great-grandmother Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, is also passionate about preserving the environment.

“I think people must stop littering. They must stop using cars and start using bicycles,” he said.

Their mother, Lindo, said working on the book helped the children to learn more about their family history.

She said the book marked the beginning of a much broader educational project which was close to Zindzi’s heart.

“We are going to make it our business to teach young people about human rights,” Lindo said.

The children are expected to host book readings in SA starting from today as part of the Madiba centenary celebrations. Another book tour is set to take place in the UK.