I bought this book when I thought I was giving too much
time to history and politics. So I bought this one- just for a break.
This is an interesting book about a Pakistani elite woman
who lives in her own world. The writer brought together many acts, events, attitudes
and sophistication into one character called ‘Butterfly’.
Butterfly lives in a high society where she acts and
behaves in a certain manner. This provokes the reader in thinking about the
different social relations which exist in a multi-dimensional society. The
under privileged has certain needs, fears and anxieties whereas the elite who make
up their own bubble live a totally different life. The character of Butterfly
is pre occupied with in laws, black magic, money, weddings, parties, charity
balls, scandals, consumerism, property and wealth.
This book has been written at a time when Pakistan was
going through turbulent times in its history. 9/11, Invasion of Iraq, Kashmir Earthquake,
Tsunami, Lal Masjid and Benazir’s assassination also affect Butterfly’s life,
but to what extent? This could only be uncovered giving this book a read.
Ndaba Mandela, the grandson of Nelson Mandela, writes this
book as an account of his experiences with his grandfather. This includes his
upbringing by his grandfather, troubles in life, lessons and principles learnt
from his grandfather.
Based on eleven chapters this book brings to light the
dimensions of Nelson Mandela’s life, never discussed before. The author
discusses apartheid in daily life in South Africa. The police could raid any
house on any street at any time considered appropriate by them. He further says
that black South Africans had been deprived of educational, social, political
and economic opportunities and it wanted to take many generations to overcome
the disadvantaged position. Moreover, the author writes about his grandfather’s
struggle in life. His grandfather had lived twenty-seven years of his life in
prison. Nelson Mandela said: “But If you
learn your enemy’s language, you have a great power over him.” That is why he
wanted his grandson to learn different languages.”
Ndaba traces history of Mandelas, discusses various short
stories and memories to explain his opinion about certain ideas. Ndaba narrates
a story about losing his school journey twice. On hearing this Nelson Mandela
gets upset and teaches him a lesson. I believe this story shows a strong,
disciplined and principled Mandela who wanted to buy good strong training of
his grandson. Ndaba further writes about his grandfather that he was very
punctual about his morning walk and exercise. When there were first
presidential elections in in South Africa Nelson Mandela was hesitant to
participate. He wanted someone young who had a better insight of the current
issues of South Africa.
Ndaba talks about the strained relation between his parents
and how he was to live with his grandparents due to his strained relation. Ndaba’s
mother and his father died of HIV. First his mother then his father. Both times
he was not aware about the nature of their illness. This had a huge effect on
Ndaba who believes that he should have been told by his family members.
Madiba (Nelson Mandela) asked his black countrymen to
forgive the atrocities of apartheid. He was using nonviolence not as a moral
principal but as a strategy. In jail he was observing the happenings in Uganda,
Zimbabwe and Nigeria. They gained their independence and kicked out the white
people resulting in a dead economy. The author views Nelson Mandela’s
forgiveness as part of a leadership strategy. In 1998, Madiba went to
Kwazulu-Natal for a ceremony where eight-five black families received 600,000
hectares. There at the event he said: “Our
land reform program helps us redress the injustices of apartheid. It fosters
national reconciliation and stability.”
Once Queen Elizabeth called Mandela. He said, “Hello? Elizabeth! How are you? Good, good.
Oh, yes, I’m fine, thank you”. Later Mandela’s wife said, “Madiba, you cannot just call her
Elizabeth”. “What are you talking about? She calls me Nelson. We always call
each other by our first names. Don’t forget, I ‘m royalty”.
Chapter nine is an interesting chapter in which Ndaba goes
to the mountain to attain the tribal custom of manhood after his grandfather’s
approval. The details are an interesting read. While Nelson Mandela was at
Robben Island, he wrote to the Commissioner of Prisons, I have never regarded
any man as my superior either in my life outside or inside prison”.
Ndaba says that his grandfather believed that one’s
resolve- one’s truth is the voice that roams within, His grandfather taught him
to listen to it. Nelson Mandela died on 5th December 2013. He was
the icon of endurance, forgiveness, harmony and reconciliation. Earlier in life
struggled for an armed movement through Umkhonto We Sizwe (MK). In 1962 he
traded abroad to arrange guerilla training for members of MK. When in jail
Mandela said: “Prisoners cannot enter
into contracts. Only free men can negotiate”.
Ndaba Mandela concludes the book with a message to fellow
South Africans. He wants them to fight for economic emancipation as the fight
is not over yet.
