Mandela pictorial launched
A COFFEE table pictorial featuring a record of never before seen photographs of Nelson Mandela was launched at the Durban Art Gallery yesterday.
The book, Mandela in Focus, features the works of Kevin Joseph, the former president’s private photographer, with written text by journalist and commentator on a variety of subjects following Nelson Mandela, Farook Khan.
Speaking at the launch of the book, Joseph said the pictorial took four and a half years to complete. He said: “This book will eventually be available in 160 countries, it contains my last pictures of Nelson Mandela that the world will see. This book is going to remind us of what our leader has done in South Africa and what he has taught us.”
The book launch was attended by Nelson Mandela’s grandson, Zondwa Mandela, and his wife, Lindo.
The book contains collages, which have become collector’s items and are in demand by various Heads of State, tertiary institutions and mega-celebrities.
Mandela in Focus includes stories which have not been told in greater public domain. One account includes the story of how warder Christo Brand smuggled whole-wheat bread into Robben Island, so that President Mandela could enjoy a well-known traditional African dish which is loosely referred to as a “sour milk sandwich”.
The book also contains a series of birthdays which were celebrated in the privacy of Mandela’s home, rare photographs of meetings with world leaders.
These included the former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan, and ex-presidents Kenneth Kaunda, Joachim Chissano, as well as Bill Clinton.
Joseph has also collected images depicting pain and grief of the Mandela family with an image of Madiba at his 13-year-old great-granddaughter’s grave in 2010. Joseph also included exclusive photographs of the icon’s funeral and Winnie Madikezela Mandela’s visit to his final resting place on the first anniversary of his death.
Zondwa Mandela said he hadn’t had a chance to view the book as yet, but based on what the book was about and its composition, it’s “a collection of fantastic memories”.
“My fondest memories are when my grandfather had the time and opportunity to be a grandfather. From a very young age, I remember we would do push-ups in his office, so, celebrating those moments of grandfather and grandson relationship is some of my fondest experiences,” he said.