Mr Mandela is presented with a copy of the children’s version of his autobiography Long Walk to Freedom by his great-grandson Ziyanda Manaway
September 10, 2009 – Nelson Mandela today received copies of the official children’s version of his best-selling autobiography Long Walk to Freedom.
One of his great-grandchildren, Ziyanda Manaway, presented him with the English and the isiXhosa versions of the book at his home in Houghton.
Ziyanda, 8, a Grade 2 learner, read a message from Mr Mandela at the South African launch of the book at the READ (Read, Educate And Develop) Trust in Ormonde, Johannesburg yesterday. The book was released to mark International Literacy Week. It is being released internationally this month.
At the launch Ziyanda said: “Our granddad believes that education and reading are two of the most important things for children. He has asked me to read you this message: ‘Our children are our greatest treasure. They are our future. The system of apartheid robbed many children of their right to a decent education and of the joy of reading. This joy is one that I have treasured all my life, and it is one I wish for all South Africans.
“‘We are happy that all children are now able to read, in the language of their choice, the story of the long road we travelled for freedom in South Africa. The children of South Africa need to know this history. Everyone should try to read for at least an hour every day. Parents can read to their children and older children can read for themselves.’”
The book, abridged by celebrated South African author Chris van Wyk and illustrated by Cape Town-based artist Paddy Bouma, has been published by Macmillan in all 11 official South African languages as well as in Portuguese and American English.