An interview with Zelda la Grange, former private secretary to Nelson Mandela

It’s been nearly ten years since human rights activist Nelson Mandela passed away and nearly 30 years since the end of the apartheid and yet the values of solidarity and equality that Mandela so famously stood up for continue to be just as relevant and important today. So, how are Corporates honouring and supporting his legacy and what more should they be doing?  

To help answer this question, we’ve spoken with Zelda la Grange, international motivational speaker and former private secretary to Nelson Mandela who will be joining us later this year in Cape Town. After serving Nelson Mandela for almost 20 years as his closest aide, Zelda continues to share her life changing experiences both as a weekly co-host on National TV in South Africa and as a motivational speaker, presenting at various Ted Talks around the world as well as International Conferences.

inVOYAGE: Nelson Mandela not only helped liberate an entire country, but he was hugely instrumental in fighting for some of the world’s most vulnerable people – from his campaigns around female emancipation to the fight against AIDS. In your opinion, to what extent does Mandela’s legacy continue in Africa today? What improvements do you think are yet to be seen?

Zelda: Nelson Mandela's legacy and leadership stretch way beyond just our own continent. One can today, because of his legacy, apply his guidance and example to any issue or conflict across the globe. His humility and selflessness are two of his characteristics that many leaders around the world can learn from.  His leadership to avoid civil war in our own country, introducing all-inclusive negotiations to steer our country to a constitutional agreement is applied in the most conflict-ridden areas throughout Africa. He believed in education as a means for people to break free from the cycle of poverty, something that many African countries apply. Sadly, fraud and corruption, the Covid 19 pandemic and its after effects, have impeded progress and in many instances even diminished strides made in the right direction. The extraordinary gap between the haves and have-nots is something that will take centuries to address throughout the continent, but Mr Mandela believed that "the time is always ripe to do right" and even small steps to addressing issues that appear to overwhelm us can serve as building blocks to bring about solutions.  

inVOYAGE: You say in your book that you “pay tribute to the man who taught [you] that every one of us, whoever we are, has the power to change”. How do you think corporate groups can better immerse their employees into this environment and contribute to change when planning a trip to Africa? What initiatives would you like to see more of from companies to better promote action in this area?

Zelda: The world has changed significantly since the death of Mr Mandela almost 10 years ago. People across the globe are becoming more self-absorbed and immersed in their own troubles which is totally understandable because of the pace we live at.  Nelson Mandela was a person that exhumed self-awareness. He was very aware of his own existence and how his actions, no matter how small, could have an impact on the larger greater good of humanity. He was deliberate with every action and inspired others to follow suit through their actions. All corporates today have social investment programmes and what better way to make travellers aware of their existence in context of the problems of those countries they visit.  One cannot have a full experience of a country you visit with a one-dimensional approach. For any company doing incentive travel to South Africa, they too can leave a lasting legacy by partnering with non-governmental organisations or non-profits to simply volunteer just a fraction of their time spent here.  Such programmes will be that deliberate action and create that self-awareness with the traveller, that which Mr Mandela was known for.  

InVOYAGE: In your book, you touch on how much your own beliefs changed as you worked for Mandela and really got to know him as a person. How do you think people today can learn from your experience?  How can we better ourselves individually and take responsibility to promote tolerance and equality within our own companies?

Zelda: I believe with respect, compassion, tolerance, ethics and integrity we can all become greater citizens of the world. If I was able to change my outlook on life, how I view people, addressing my own prejudice and bias then it is within anyone's ability to change. Mr Mandela said that he realized in prison that if he wanted to take our country forward, he had to work much harder at himself, to leave the hatred and bitterness behind, if he wanted to influence others.  

Because of instant gratification, we have forgotten how to listen to understand, and we now listen to respond. I constantly have to remind myself of this and I sometimes fail at it but will never stop trying.  Mr Mandela was big on symbolism which is an important step in getting people to work together. He said: "If you want to make peace with the enemy, you have to work with the enemy. Then he becomes your partner". Focusing on our similarities rather than what sets us apart proves to be ideal for promoting tolerance and equality.

InVOYAGE: As we celebrate Mandela Day and look back at Nelson Mandela’s life and all he fought for it’s a great reminder to all of us of what Africa and its voices can truly offer the world. As our event planners look to create their incentive programs for the year ahead, what tools and resources would you urge them to look at so they can combine education into their programs?

Zelda: Nelson Mandela spent 67 years actively trying to bring about change in society.  When we approached the United Nations to declare Mr Mandela's birthday, 18 July, across the world as a day of service, our ask was small.  He dedicated 67 years of his life and now we ask 67 minutes of people across the world to do good on and around Mandela day. We know from history, the impact Mr Mandela had on the world through the small and deliberate actions every day of the 67 years he worked.  He believed and lived by the motto that one action, no matter how small, will contribute to a just society. We are far from that but if we keep trying, we can make a significant difference in the lives of ordinary people. To plan a little over an hour in a programme to contribute in any way towards social responsibility will create a meaningful experience for all travellers. Nelson Mandela is considered the greatest statesman and humanitarian of our lifetime.  To learn about him, experience a little of his history from those of us who had the privilege to have known and work with him will ensure the lasting effects of the impact he had on society beyond our own borders.

inVOYAGE: Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with us, we certainly have a lot to learn from Mandela’s life and your own experiences and we look forward to seeing you again in June to carry on the conversation!

 Zelda La Grange will be joining us later this year with an exclusive keynote speech as we head up to Cape Town for our Q2 Event.

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