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I Am Ndileka: More than my surname – Ndileka Mandela

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I Am Ndileka: More than my surname – Ndileka Mandela

Ndileka Mandela unpacks her book 'I Am Ndileka: More than my surname'. (Camera & editing: Darlene Creamer)

20th November 2019

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This long awaited memoir grants deep insights and a greater understanding into the life of Ndileka Mandela, much more than her surname - Liaqat Alli Azam, Director - Leading Like Mandela

I Am Ndileka tells the story of a woman who has made great strides in society, but still faces many challenges. A social activist, former ICU nurse and the head of a rural upliftment organisation known as the Thembekile Mandela Foundation, she has lived a challenging life – a labyrinth of highs and lows.

Even though South Africa has been emancipated from the apartheid regime and so-called gender inequality structures have been removed, women still face oppression and abuse. In October 2017, as part of the #MeToo campaign to denounce sexual violence, Ndileka disclosed for the first time that she had been raped by her then partner in her own bed five years before.

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Follow Ndileka on her journey as she deals with death in her family, patriarchy, motherhood, depression, being homeless and surviving rape and abuse.

I want to confront some of my ghosts through this book and finally lay them to rest. Contrary to popular belief, people think being from this family is a walk in the park and that we perhaps do not go through the same challenges as everyone else. My life has been a labyrinth of highs and lows and I’m still standing. I thank God for that and my ancestors for all their intercessions. I am the sum of all the decisions I have made so far, good and bad. I am Ndileka Mandela, the first of the first of the first, and this is my story.

Along the journey of tackling the challenges and expectations that come with her last name – things that she did not ask for but are asked of her nonetheless – Ndileka finds her voice.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ndileka Mandela is a social activist, former ICU nurse and the head of a rural upliftment organisation known as the Thembekile Mandela Foundation. Born to Madiba Thembekile Mandela (Nelson Mandela’s first born), who died in a car accident while his father was in prison, and the eldest grandchild of Nelson Mandela.

 

I Am Ndileka: More than my surname is published by Jacana Media

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