Celebrate Mandela
ACCESSIBLE and engaging short stories about Nelson
Mandela, to celebrate
100 years since his birth.
On July 18 we will be celebrating 100 years of our very own national treasure, Nelson Mandela. The celebrations have already started, not least by the publication of celebratory books marking the centenary anniversary of his birth.
Well-known writer, reviewer and columnist Kate Sidley has taken a creative route in telling Madiba’s story: offering a collection of 100 memories of the great statesman, revolutionary, world leader and family man.
Reading the list of sources you’ll get an idea of the intensive research she has conducted to yield this fascinating and touching insight into Mandela. Using a chronological time-line, it draws from his own writing, those of his contemporaries, historians and ordinary people to retell humorous, heart-warming and momentous moments from his boyhood, fledgling coming-of-age, his political awareness, to his long days on Robben Island and his shining life as a negotiator and leader. A superb read that is as complex, varied and mostly, as inspired as the man himself. PUTTING together in one volume some of Africa’s most cherished tales, it was Madiba himself who chose the 32 age-old stories in this beautifully illustrated volume.
His wish was that they would be appreciated by children and adults alike all over the world and hopefully this will happen when we all celebrate his 100th birthday next month.
You’ll find the wonderful story from Kenya of The Lion, The Hare and The Hyena as told and related to Phyllis Savory in which the hyena and the hare try, as they often do, to outwit each other with a charming illustration by Tamsin Hinrichsen.
The Snake with Seven Heads is another magical tale: The breaking of a curse in order for someone to be set free is a popular theme in African folk tales and this Xhosa story the number seven is shown to play a significant role.
Gcina Mhlope, a storyteller, retells this story and how the number three is considered to have magical qualities, charmingly illustrated by Natalie Hinrichsen. Just two examples of really immersive stories that both young and old people will thoroughly enjoy and take away the morals that each one puts forth. I SIMPLY loved this cookbook because the recipes are affordable, userfriendly and most important of all, are real budget beaters but look like gourmet treats.
Flipping through the pages just about every dish appeals, whether it’s a Thai red fish curry with cauli rice to yummy beef burgers with beetroot tzadziki to a very tempting breakfast pizza topped with fried eggs, bacon and