Dare Not Linger is the sequel to Long Walk to Freedom, the story of Nelson Mandela’s presidential years, drawing on the memoir he began to write but was unable to finish.

Mandla Langa completed the book, using Mandela’s unfinished draft, and at the launch spoke to former Ambassador and PA to Mandela Barbara Masekela in a discussion facilitated by Iman Rappetti.

Langa urged people to read the book, which he said, ‘will help us to remember ourselves as South Africans when we held the moral high ground, when we walked with our heads held high.’

Click on the link above for more about the book.

Terry Morris, MD of Pan Macmillan SA, said: ‘Who could and would do justice to what Madiba was trying to convey? Both the lessons for future generations and also an in-depth reflection of a remarkable presidency and the lead-up to the inauguration.

‘Mandla Langa’s evocative and widely acclaimed novels have been published by Pan Macmillan over the years but knowing he was busy with a new novel we were rather reluctant to sidetrack him. Luckily and fortunately he was prepared to set that aside – thank you! – and committed himself absolutely to this project.

‘After re-reading the full and edited text, I’m in awe of the remarkable assured, complete and considered job Mandla has done in marrying the original text, the archival material, and in-depth research collected by Tony Trew and Joel Netshitenzhe, and Mandla’s own incisive analyse and lived experience of the time, the people and the events.

‘Nelson Mandela’s legacy is sometimes contested, and I hope that this book does encourage discussion and debate, as well as provide more clarity and depth regarding the difficult decisions and actions taken before and during his presidency.’

 

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Categories International Non-fiction South Africa

Tags Barbara Masekela Dare Not Linger Iman Rappetti Joel Netshitenzhe Mandla Langa Nelson Mandela Pan Macmillan SA Tony Trew