NELSON Mandela's personal assistant of 19 years, Zelda la Grange, was not one of the first people to know about his death on December 5 last year.
"No one told me. I was home alone when rumours started flying around. My cellphone was inundated with calls, messages and e-mails and I just knew that it had happened.
"Then two military helicopters flew over my house and somehow I realised it had happened," she said.
With little or no contact with her former employer, La Grange was overwhelmed by the news and said she took two sleeping pills and forced herself to sleep before her emotions could kick in.
"[It was] only the next morning when I woke up just before 4am and again checked my phone, that reality struck."
La Grange last saw Mandela alive six months earlier, on July 11 2013.
"He was still able to respond and recognise me and greeted me with that infectious smile of his," she said.
"I had to control myself to prevent the tears from showing and he smiled. That will forever be the fondest memory of him also because it was the last."
She described the past year as an emotional roller coaster as she tries to deal with the loss.
In an emotional open letter to Madiba published in various media this week, she said the reality had still not sunk in and was too difficult to accept.
"One year on, we have to accept that you are gone forever. The only thing that remains is to learn from your example. What I remember best, apart from your infectious smile, is the importance you placed on respect ."
The author of Good Morning Mr Mandela said publishing her book was an obligation to tell her story of change and metamorphosis so other people can learn from her experiences.
She has also come under fire since the release of the book, which details her many years working for the former statesman.
"I could have capitalised on my position for 19 years if money was that important. Any author will tell you that one doesn't make money from writing books. But if money is your only consideration in life you are going to reflect that in everything you say and do," La Grange said.
She is now a motivational speaker and keeps herself busy with charity work.
"My life has changed completely. You have to adjust to life without an environment and people you cared for and loved," she said.
jamals@sowetan.co.za
I will never forget Tata's smile - Zelda
NELSON Mandela's personal assistant of 19 years, Zelda la Grange, was not one of the first people to know about his death on December 5 last year.
"No one told me. I was home alone when rumours started flying around. My cellphone was inundated with calls, messages and e-mails and I just knew that it had happened.
"Then two military helicopters flew over my house and somehow I realised it had happened," she said.
With little or no contact with her former employer, La Grange was overwhelmed by the news and said she took two sleeping pills and forced herself to sleep before her emotions could kick in.
"[It was] only the next morning when I woke up just before 4am and again checked my phone, that reality struck."
La Grange last saw Mandela alive six months earlier, on July 11 2013.
"He was still able to respond and recognise me and greeted me with that infectious smile of his," she said.
"I had to control myself to prevent the tears from showing and he smiled. That will forever be the fondest memory of him also because it was the last."
She described the past year as an emotional roller coaster as she tries to deal with the loss.
In an emotional open letter to Madiba published in various media this week, she said the reality had still not sunk in and was too difficult to accept.
"One year on, we have to accept that you are gone forever. The only thing that remains is to learn from your example. What I remember best, apart from your infectious smile, is the importance you placed on respect ."
The author of Good Morning Mr Mandela said publishing her book was an obligation to tell her story of change and metamorphosis so other people can learn from her experiences.
She has also come under fire since the release of the book, which details her many years working for the former statesman.
"I could have capitalised on my position for 19 years if money was that important. Any author will tell you that one doesn't make money from writing books. But if money is your only consideration in life you are going to reflect that in everything you say and do," La Grange said.
She is now a motivational speaker and keeps herself busy with charity work.
"My life has changed completely. You have to adjust to life without an environment and people you cared for and loved," she said.
jamals@sowetan.co.za
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