How to make every day Mandela Day with David Krut Bookstores
Written by Elda Bredenkamp
Today we celebrate Mandela Day, an international holiday that celebrates the life and legacy of former South African president Nelson Mandela who made a call on the next generation to take on the burden of leadership in addressing the world’s social injustices saying, “it is in your hands now”. The Mandela Foundation has chosen for this year to focus on the theme Do what you can, with what you have, where you are with the objective of climate change and food security. David Krut Bookstore shares with you our top picks of books to make every day a Mandela Day.
Do what you can, with what you have, where you are
The Nelson mandela foundation
From getting to know all of Mandela’s remarkable life details in Nelson Mandela: Conversations with myself, to leading by example with Leading like Madiba, supporting the continuation and education of African languages with UMnumzana Mvundla Uhlangana noMnumzana Mandela as well as exploring post-apartheid South Africa with a critical African lens in We are no longer at ease, and learning about climate change and what South Africans can do to make a positive difference in Cleaner energy, Cooler climate. Finally we have added The world that made Mandela, a detailed archive of sites and their significant history parallel with Nelson Mandela.
1. Nelson Mandela: Conversations with myself (2010) – R310
Get to know the man, the legend with Nelson Mandela: Conversations with myself. Nelson Mandela is one of the most inspiring and iconic figures of our age. Now, after a lifetime of taking pen to paper to record thoughts and events, hardships and victories, he has opened his personal archive, which offers an unprecedented insight into his remarkable life.
2. Leading Like Madiba: Leadership lessons from Nelson Mandela (2010) – R160
This is a book about a many-sided man whose legacy is his unquenchable desire to spend himself for the well-being of others. Through a series of stories told by men and women about how Nelson Mandela touched their lives, the book shows what it is that has made him one of the greatest people of our time.
3. Mr Hare meets Mr Mandela (2016) – IsiXhosa R130
Support the continuation and widespread education of African languages with our African language’s kids’ books. Mr Hare Meets Mr Mandela is one of the last stories Chris van Wyk wrote before he died and it originally appeared in the Sunday Times Storytime: 10 South African Stories for Children. Mr Hare finds a R200 note on his doorstep. When he turns the note over he sees Mr Mandela’s face and decides to brave the big city of Johannesburg to return it to Mr Mandela.
4. We Are No Longer at Ease (2018) – R240
We Are No Longer at Ease is a collection of personal articles, essays, speeches and poetry mainly from voices of young people who were part of the student-led protest movement known as #FeesMustFall which began in 2015. It tells the journey of a youth that participated in a movement that redefined politics in post-apartheid South Africa and is the evidence of a “born free” generation telling their own story and leading discourse as well as action on transforming South Africa with a foreword by Malaika wa Azania.
5. Cleaner Energy, Cooler Climate (2009) – R230
Energy and climate change are issues of critical importance for shaping a sustainable future, both in South Africa and globally. For South Africa, finding a policy approach which balances the increasing demand for energy with the need for sustainability, equity and climate change mitigation is a particular challenge.
6. The World That Made Mandela (2002) – R400
The World That Made Mandela: A Heritage Trail – 70 Sites of Significance
Luli Callinicos, one of South Africa’s eminent historians, has created an extraordinary documentary of a book in which geography and history blend, and the collective life and image of a nation is focused through the life of one individual – Nelson Mandela.
We wish you a happy Mandela Day and call upon our communities to always strive for a better tomorrow and fully embrace a beautiful today.
For more information about Mandela Day or to donate to the Nelson Mandela Foundation please visit the link.