Going to the Mountain, Ndaba Mandela
Going to the Mountain, Ndaba Mandela
4 Rating(s)
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Going to the Mountain
Life Lessons from My Grandfather, Nelson Mandela

Author: Ndaba Mandela

Narrator: Michael Boatman, Ndaba Mandela

Unabridged: 7 hr 38 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 06/26/2018


Synopsis

The first-ever book to tell Nelson Mandela's life through the eyes of the grandson who was raised by him, chronicling Ndaba Mandela's life living with, and learning from, one of the greatest leaders and humanitarians the world has ever known.

To the rest of the world, Nelson Mandela was a giant: an anti-apartheid revolutionary, a world-renowned humanitarian, and South Africa's first black president. To Ndaba Mandela, he was simply "Granddad." In Going to the Mountain, Ndaba tells how he came to live with Mandela shortly after he turned eleven--having met each other only once, years before, when Mandela was imprisoned at Victor Verster Prison -- and how the two of them slowly, cautiously built a relationship that would affect both their lives in extraordinary ways.

It wasn't an easy transition. Mandela had high expectations for those around him, especially his family, and Ndaba chafed at the strict rules and exacting guidelines in his grandfather's home. But at the same time -- through overheard calls from foreign dignitaries as well as the Xhosa folk wisdom that his grandfather shared with him at every opportunity -- Ndaba was learning how to be a man. On a scale both personal and epic, Ndaba's extraordinary journey mirrors that of South Africa's coming of age -- from the segregated Soweto ghettos into which he was born to the privileged life in which he grew up and the turbulent yet exciting times in which he carries on his grandfather's legacy.

Going to the Mountain is, in the end, a story about unlocking the power within each of us. It's a cautionary tale about how a child's life can go one way or the other, depending upon the intervention of a caring soul--and about the awesome power of love to serve as a catalyst for change.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Donna on June 27, 2018

Nelson Mandela’s hundredth birthday approaches. His grandson Ndaba, whom Mandela raised following his release from prison, talks about growing up with the titan that led the movement against Apartheid in South Africa. He reflects on Xhosa culture and the role that it played in the struggle and in hi......more

Goodreads review by Alyssa on June 28, 2018

*I received a free copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.* Going to the Mountain is a powerful memoir, told by Ndaba Mandela, the grandson of Nelson Mandela. He talks of his coming of age during a time when South Africa was in turmoil, and how the tra......more

Goodreads review by Amena on January 19, 2019

I was really craving nonfiction when I picked this up from my stack. I wanted something solid and inspiring. I chose the right one. Written by Ndaba Mandela, Nelson Mandela's grandson, it reads like short stories and snippets of life lessons he got from him, not only from going to live with him, but......more

Goodreads review by Benjamin on December 21, 2020

First review on this app and a great read to start on. I love non-fiction and I am really trying to read more. This book made that very easy. I loved Ndaba’s ability to story tell and paint the picture of life in the same household as Madiba. I really got a sense for the surroundings and some days f......more

Goodreads review by Lori on October 23, 2023

This was a quick, enjoyable read (I listened on Libby audible). Ndaba grew up in his grandparents’ home. His brothers also joined him after a certain age. He recounts stories and life lessons he learned from Nelson Mandela. What an unbelievable sacrifice Mr Mandela made to take a stand for ending ap......more