Graca Machel has called on all South Africans to “live the Madiba way” and she thanked all those who served former Statesman Nelson Mandela.

Speaking at the book launch of I Remember Nelson Mandela at the Nelson Mandela Foundation, in Johannesburg, Machel said she hoped the book, which illustrated Madiba’s life behind the scenes, would help South Africans live the Madiba way “of being human”.

The book is a collection of more than 100 memories from the people who had worked with and for Mandela. These include bodyguards, household staff and presidential advisers.

Machel says the book is about how Mandela lived with the people around him and was meant to help South Africans live in the same way.

Attending the launch were former President Kgalema Motlanthe, Nelson Mandela Foundation CEO Sello Hatang, Mandela’s granddaughter Ndileka Mandela, Afropop legend Salif Keita and Grammy Award winners Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

An emotional Machel expressed her gratitude to all those who contributed to the book by sharing their special moments of how they remembered the former statesman.

She went on to add that while President Cyril Ramaphosa refers to this era as “a new dawn”, she sees it as reconnecting with what she called “the glorious years”.

She encouraged South Africans not to let “this moment of hope – the renewal or new dawn” pass as it was about future generations.

“It gives me a huge sense of joy and I have to ask myself how do I continue in my modest way to live my life. To live the Madiba way,” she concluded.

I Remember Nelson Mandela is published by Jacana Media.