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On paper, the meeting between the young Blanche and the icon of the anti-apartheid struggle had little chance of succeeding. And yet, over the years, Zelda La Grange has become one of Nelson Mandela's closest badociates.
On the eve of the 100th anniversary of her birth, the blonde forty-year-old who appears on so many pictures of the first black president of South Africa has agreed to tell AFP about the "Madiba" whose daily life she has shared, her charisma, her attentions and her travels.
Named Assistant to the Presidency in 1994, Zelda La Grange, 23 barely two years old, meets President Mandela two weeks later, in the office of his secretary.
The meeting
"I found myself in front of this man, whom I considered then largely as an enemy (…) The first thing I noticed was the kindness that radiated on his face and the sincerity of his smile
He was talking to me and I had to tell him + Excuse me Mr. President , can you repeat? + He repeated and I realized that he spoke to me in Afrikaans, my language, the language of the oppressor and of those who had thrown him in prison.
He immediately dropped all my barriers, (…) I was very moved I felt guilty because this kindly being, in front of me, showed me a respect that I did not think I deserved. "
Virtue and vices
" He had this ability to respect any human being . When he was staring into someone's eyes, he was really careful (…), it was his greatest strength, always preferring humanity to ideology.
He could be a very stubborn man , a very stubborn leader. In general, when he made a decision, it was well thought out, so it was very difficult to change it. "
Respect
" While having lunch or traveling, we often had political discussions and sometimes we did not agree, especially when we were talking about the past and apartheid.
But we were never in confrontation, it was always very respectful because Madiba knew where I was coming from. [19659002Heknewhecouldtrustme100%andIreallyenjoyeditFormefromaprofessionalpointofviewthetrusthegavemewaswithoutquestiontheculminationofmycareerathisside"
Anger
" It was someone very meticulous, very strict, very disciplined. He hated those who tried to give him orders, to manipulate him.
Very few things made him really angry, only dishonesty made him get out of his hinges, always. "
Sad Side
" I saw on him the damage caused by his separation from his family (during his incarceration). After so many years, it was very difficult for him to form relationships.
There was a sad part in the Nelson Mandela that I knew, the sad difficulty of being able to appreciate simple things.
is that after his marriage to Graça Machel (his third and last wife) he really enjoyed these things that are believed to be acquired, such as going to a restaurant. "
Simplicity
" Often, when he arrived at a place, he first went spontaneously to the receptionist or the guardian, well before shaking the hand of the CEO who was waiting for him.
Some, the most selfish, sometimes thought that he was offensive or disrespectful not to greet them first. Not at all. It was his way of doing things and he always greeted the little people. So wherever we traveled, we made sure that the people who were serving him were greeted first. "
Last Moments
" I saw him for the last time alive on July 11, 2013. I went on to see in the hospital (before going on vacation) because I was afraid that something would happen to her during my absence
Mrs. Machel granted me a few moments with him. When I approached his bed, he heard my voice and I touched it. His eyes suddenly opened and he smiled at me
Having been able to bring that smile back to his face is the most beautiful thing anyone can hope for, it is the strongest memory I have of him. That contagious smile, the same contagious smile he gave me the first time I saw him. "
str-pa / bed / jlb
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