Zelda la Grange

Zelda la Grange was born and raised in apartheid South Africa. She joined the office of the first democratically elected President in 1994 as junior secretary. She served Nelson Mandela in various capacities over 19 years until his passing in December 2013.
 
Several organisations have awarded Zelda for her dedication and service to Mr Mandela. She has lectured on leadership development and regularly appears on the international speaking circuit at high profile events.
 
Zelda’s experience working with Nelson Mandela provides her with a unique ability to help navigate the complexities of modern society.  She knew the late President exceptionally well and is considered one of the few people in his closest circle. She has experience with the inner workings of a political system that required reconciliation and forging a country where all its people joined behind a common purpose of peace and stability.  Her own journey is one of transformation and her ability to humanise the late statesman as a first-hand witness is of exceptional value to modern society.
 
In 2014 Zelda published her memoirs, the international best seller “Good Morning, Mr Mandela” [Penguin, 2014] and recently she published “What Nelson Mandela Taught Me” [NB, 2024]. Zelda serves as a Trustee on the Board of the Ahmed Kathrada foundation focusing on democracy, and a Director of the Amicorp Community Foundation, empowering disadvantaged communities in rural areas.

Languages spoken: Afrikaneers, English

 

Photo credit: ARR