Penguin played an instrumental part in the worldwide release of Morning, Mr Mandela.
The publishing house describes the book as “the story of how a young woman had her life and everything she once believed in transformed by the greatest man of her time”.
A few days before the official release of the book on 19 June, La Grange received much criticism on social media after a Sunday newspaper reported that she had written in great detail about the former stateman’s family’s in-fighting – including the sidelining of wife, Graca Machel – in the months before his death, at the funeral and during the period of mourning.
Tweeters including ANC figures such as Sports and Recreation Minister Fikile Mbalula showed the new author no mercy as they criticised her for trying to “benefit” from the late Mandela’s legacy.
Mbalula tweeted: “A book by Zelda Le Grange [sic] about Madiba how convenient is this? I personally expected this, it’s all about money.”
However, Helen Conford, publishing director of Penguin, said in an email, “This is a book that will touch your life and make you believe that every one of us, no matter who we are or what we have done, has the power to change.”
She added, “It has brought tears to the eyes of everyone who has read it. It shines with honesty and love. The lessons Nelson Mandela gave her as he renewed his country offer hope to everyone.”
Mandela’s daughter, Makaziwe Mandela, was reported by The Sunday Times as threatening to sue La Grange if her “claims against the family” could not be substantiated.
La Grange could not be reached for comment.
A percentage of royalties from the book will be donated by the author to the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
