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Going to the Mountain: Life Lessons from My Grandfather, Nelson Mandela

Ndaba Mandela

4.05 · Rating details · 366 ratings · 51 reviews

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 Afri ...more

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Hardcover, 272 pages

Published June 26th 2018 by Hachette Books

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Jun 24, 2018 Donna Davis rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Recommends it for: everyone.

Shelves: memoirs-biographies-autobio, primary-sources, history, reviewed, blogged, net-galley

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 his own development, and it is within this framework that he talks about his grandfather, and about the future of his people.

My thanks go to Net Galley and Hachette Books for the review copy, which I r 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 his own development, and it is within this framework that he talks about his grandfather, and about the future of his people.

My thanks go to Net Galley and Hachette Books for the review copy, which I received free and early.

Ndaba spent his early years moving between his parents’ households. His mother struggled with alcoholism and other disorders; his father was ill, and would later die from AIDS. He tells of the surreal juxtaposition of the slum that had been his entire experience with his grandfather’s house, where he had his own room, food that was healthy and prepared for him, clothing, and even a video game system; it was just about everything a child could ask for, but it came at the price of separation from his mother, and he rebelled and acted out in response. As a man with a wider view of the past, he recognizes that this was by far the best outcome, but for many years he resisted, yet was safe because of his grandfather’s stable influence and wisdom.

He speaks of having come to Disney World as a youngster, where he was engaged in conversation with a friendly American, who asked him, as they stood in line for a ride, how big the lions are in Africa. Ndaba, of course, grew up in an urban environment and had no more seen a lion wandering around than the questioner had. He came to realize that these are the stereotypes that the Western world has for Africa: lions in rural areas, and crime in the cities. Dangerous animals; dangerous people. He suggests that the U.S.A. improve its own police forces before presuming to talk to South Africans about theirs.

He has a point.

The entire memoir is told using Xhosa folk tales as allegory, and the result is glorious and deeply moving.
Although I seldom become teary while reading, a good hard lump formed in my throat when he spoke of taking his grandfather on his final journey to Capetown.

Highly recommended to everyone, whether you know the history of the South African Revolution or are new to it.
...more

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May 06, 2018 Alyssa Nelson rated it it was amazing

Shelves: nonfiction, memoir, black-author, south-african-author

*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 transition from apartheid to its current state affected him and his family. “Going to the mountain” is a phrase used by people in his tribe when they undertake the ritual to become a man, and ultimately, *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 transition from apartheid to its current state affected him and his family. “Going to the mountain” is a phrase used by people in his tribe when they undertake the ritual to become a man, and ultimately, that’s what this book is about: growing up, learning from your mistakes, and how your environment and the people in your life affect your growth and who you become as an adult. Mandela talks about everything, from the mundane that everyone can relate to, like going to school and dating, to other things that were unique for someone in his position, like the attention he received from being Nelson Mandela’s grandson. Whatever the subject, however, Mandela speaks with stark honesty and we could all learn a lesson from his reflective nature and his continuing encouragement to do better and be better.

I love the way Mandela is able to weave teachings and sayings from the Xhosa tribe with his grandfather’s teachings and his own life experiences. This memoir is rich with his culture, and we learn a lot about the Xhosa tribe and the Mandelas’ way of living through this. I am inspired by this book to learn more about different cultures; Mandela shows that it is through an active effort of understanding that we grow and learn and make better choices for the future generations.

What I love the most, however, is that Ndaba Mandela is not afraid to reflect on his shortcomings. He puts everything out there so that the reader can understand him to be a fully relatable person, and shows how much a person can grow (especially a young person) when given guidance. It’s an inspiring story that we can all take to heart, and I personally, have never felt more motivated to try to be my best self so that the young people in my life can learn from my example and be their best selves. It’s something we should all keep in mind.

Overall, I greatly enjoyed this book. It’s full of life lessons, and the reflective nature of it brings the reader in to reflect on their own lives. It’s also a genuinely interesting story; Ndaba Mandela has lived a remarkable life during a remarkable time, and his insight into all of it is fascinating. Anyone who is interested in memoirs will find value in reading Going to the Mountain; it’s a compelling story told through exceptional writing.

Also posted on Purple People Readers. ...more

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Jan 19, 2019 Amena rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

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 also events that happened in his life which involved Mandela.

For me, Mandela is beyond inspiring and his face showed such a high level of kindness - you can see it on this cover. It is a very real b ...more

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Sep 20, 2019 Joy rated it it was ok

Shelves: auto-biography

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jul 31, 2018 Kathleen rated it it was amazing

NDABA MANDELA SHARES HIS GRANDFATHER’S LESSONS
Ndaba Mandela, grandson of Nelson Mandela, retells stories, lessons, and legends from his grandfather in his recently released book entitled “Going to the Mountain.” Ndaba starts with the story of first meeting his grandfather under unique circumstances - him being seven years-old and his grandfather in jail. A few years later, his immediate family moves apart, and he begins to live with Nelson.

Ndaba tells rich folk tales and stories about meeting fa ...more

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Jul 25, 2018 Lyndon rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Inspiring words from Nelson Mandela’s grandson

Ndaba Mandela shares a candid and unflinching story about growing to know and love his grandfather. An amazing account of a life journey that still has so far to go. Looking forward to seeing how he will take in ever greater leadership roles.

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Jul 10, 2018 Marcy prager rated it it was amazing

It was very interesting to learn about Nelson Mandela from his grandson, who lived with him when he was young. Ndaba Mandela's parents were both alcoholics. Ndaba lived in Soweto until Nelson came out of jail after 27 years. When Nelson offered to house his grandson, his parents agreed, and for the first time Ndaba had a real home. Nelson had high expectations for his grandson. Ndaba, not always having a mature attitude, did not always follow his grandfather's high expectations, particularly whe ...more

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Jun 21, 2018 Cristie Underwood marked it as kindle

Going to the Mountain is a powerful memoir, told by Ndaba Mandela, the grandson of Nelson Mandela. He about coming of age when South Africa was in turmoil, and how the transition from apartheid to its current state affected him and his family. His tribe used the phrase "Going to the mountain" when they undertake the ritual to become a man. The writer wrote a brilliant book about this period of his life and about the lessons he learned. This book offered a glimpse of the relationship that Nelson ...more

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Aug 30, 2018 David Kenvyn rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This book is a unique view of Nelson Mandela. It is written by his grandson, Ndaba, and it tells the story of being brought up by Mandela, and what it meant to have him as an example, a mentor and the patriarch of the family. Of course, he was not the usual patriarchal figure because for 27 years he was not there. He was in prison. Ndaba Mandela did not meet his grandfather until he was seven years old, and the meeting took place in Victor Verster prison, a few months before his release. In thos This book is a unique view of Nelson Mandela. It is written by his grandson, Ndaba, and it tells the story of being brought up by Mandela, and what it meant to have him as an example, a mentor and the patriarch of the family. Of course, he was not the usual patriarchal figure because for 27 years he was not there. He was in prison. Ndaba Mandela did not meet his grandfather until he was seven years old, and the meeting took place in Victor Verster prison, a few months before his release. In those years between Ndaba’s birth and the release of his grandfather, the Mandela family endured the constant harassment of the apartheid security police. Winnie Mandela was arrested, imprisoned, tortured, banned and sent into internal exile. Her daughters, Zenani and Zindzi Mandela, had to be sent to school in Swaziland to escape the constant harassment that was inflicted on them. Mandela’s eldest son, Thembi, was killed in a car accident, and Mandela was not allowed to attend his funeral. Ndaba escaped from this by going to live with his grandmother, Evelyn, Mandela’s first wife, who had left him when she joined the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Ndaba lived with her in Cofimvaba, a small town in the Eastern Cape, until his parents decided that he should come to live with them in Soweto. It was not an easy childhood by any means.
But his family took a life-changing decision for Ndaba when he was eleven years old. It was decided that he would go and live with his grandfather. By now, the date for the election had been set and Mandela was campaigning for the Presidency, to which he was inaugurated on 10th May 1994. So Ndaba was living there with an icon of the struggle, just at the point of transformation. What we have is an insider’s view of what was happening remembered from the point of view of a child.
It is a remarkable tale. We see how the two began to grow together, learning to live with each, to respect each other and through the process of getting to know each other becoming friends.
The phrase “going to the mountain” is used for the initiation ceremony of Xhosa boys into manhood. It is a period when the initiates are kept away from their families and begin to learn about the history and rituals of their people, and the duties of a man. It ends with circumcision and recovery from that rite. It is an indication of Mandela’s view of the world that he had no doubt that this ceremony was important and that he had a role to play in preparing his grandson for it.
This book gives a view of Nelson Mandela that only his sons (now both dead) and his grandsons, such as Ndaba, were familiar with. His sons, of course, did not really get to know him like this because he was in prison when their initiations took place. Nor is it something that Mandela talked about in his autobiography. But this respect for tradition is probably essential towards an understanding of the man.
This is a short book. It is easy to read. It gives a view of Mandela that you will not otherwise have. It is, for that reason, an important book.
...more

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Apr 13, 2020 Ashna Altaf rated it really liked it

A beautiful book. The reason I had picked it up was the fact that it's written by Mandela's grandson Ndaba, so, I had expected that I would get an insight about what Mandela was like in his daily life, and, the book is as expected.
.
It's a book in which the author, Ndaba tells his life story, how he was inspired by his grandfather, the Legend, Nelson Mandela, and how this man helped him grow , and how he had supported him. Moreover, we come to know about the principles Mandela followed, the visio ...more

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Sep 15, 2020 LivaTheBookNerd rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: memoir, 2020, own-pb

How does one write a review about other persons’ personal experience? This book is Ndaba Mandelas’ autobiography written to tell about his experience being raised by his granddad Nelson Mandela. It was not only his story, but also dedication to his “Old Man” about everything he was honored to learn from this powerful man.

Up until now, I had a pretty straight-forward “what I learned in my history class” impression about Nelson Mandela. This book helped to shape a little more of an opinion about h ...more

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Oct 29, 2018 Emma rated it it was amazing

A beautifully written and insightful book about being Nelson Manela's Grandson. What he experienced growing up in his Grandfathers home and the lessons he learned from a great man. I really enjoyed reading this book.
There were some areas that caused a stumbling point for me. Ndaba compares Cinderella to a African folk story which has some similarities, however he states that the Cinderella version is all beautiful and everyone lives happily ever after with no dark elements of the story. The Afr ...more

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Aug 01, 2019 Zoemozer rated it really liked it

Knowing little to nothing about Mandela and his time as president, Going to the Mountain gave a beautiful insight into the history of Africa. I was pleasantly surprised by how engaging this account was, both funny and wise simultaneously. For those that haven’t been exposed to much black culture I would really recommend reading this. It sheds light to the harsh reality of white supremacy and how others were treated. Bringing understanding to black culture and connection of family alongside the j ...more

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Oct 14, 2018 Ad Pluijmers rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I read the Dutch translation (De moed om te vergeven). Nelson Mandela's grandson Ndaba gives some insights in the family man Nelson (Madiba). His grandfather takes him in his house and teaches him the 'lessons of life'. This is not always easy for a member of the Mandela family. After growing through 'normal' puberty Ndaba is subjected to the initiation rituals of his tribe. He finally does manage to graduate in the presence of his grandfather. Together with his nephew Kweku he now leads Africa ...more

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Oct 13, 2020 Gina rated it liked it

I hate to say it but I couldn’t get through the whole book, I read a little over half way . I think upon picking this book up I anticipated learning more about apartheid, and Nelson Mandela’s journey a little bit more through his grandson. I felt like the grandson did a good job of painting the picture and displaying his grandfathers character but I think I wanted more history. I also think I still learned a lot but I think overall it just wasn’t what I was anticipating and didn’t feel captured ...more

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Jun 28, 2019 Jonathan Johnson rated it it was amazing

Great book
I loved hearing the story of Nelson Mandela told by his grandson
Nelson Mandela went to prison for wanting to change South Africa when his kids were young
By the time he got out 30 years later his country and family were in disarray
He took in the author when he was young and taught him how to be a man
The story not only praises Nelson as a leader but it shows some of his flaws as well
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn about South Africa’s from apartheid to democracy

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Aug 10, 2018 Donna rated it really liked it

Ndaba Mandela was raised by his grandfather, Nelson, after his grandfather, Nelson, had been released from prison after almost 30 years. He and his grandfather did not know each other. His grandfather had very high expectations for Ndaba. It is a remarkable story at a remarkable time in South Africa.

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Nov 08, 2018 Timothy rated it really liked it

Shelves: electronic

This book was an excellent journey, into the insight of someone who managed to grow up with family issues, not so much that it was normal or normalized, but the incidents presented demonstrated a solution, sometimes painful, some wisdom, and perspective. In many ways it does illustrate how thoughts and feelings are passed from generation to generation.

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Feb 01, 2019 Melissa Rinehart rated it it was amazing

Ndaba Mandela's book expertly describes the balance between modern society and his rich culture and the incredible difference steady persistence can make. This book was a joy and pleasure to read...just wish I had read it aloud to my son. It gave me hope and a feeling of optimism that we still have strong leaders to fight for freedom.

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Apr 20, 2020 Aimee Mercure rated it it was ok

Shelves: on-kindle

Honestly I was very disappointed by the book. It was repetitive and didn't delve enough in Nelson Mandela. It was missing something (the 'x' factor) that makes a book really great. I was very excited to start reading this and bummed when I had finished.

The 'Going to the Mountain' aspect was very interesting- I'd be curious to learn more.

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Nov 19, 2018 Ellie Thomas rated it it was amazing

Beautifully written memoir which adds another dimension to the life and times of Nelson Mandela. Having just visited South Africa this book helped fill in some missing historical pieces of the puzzle.

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Aug 14, 2019 Cartier rated it really liked it

I thought this book was really insightful and a pleasant read; I found it to be both a brief educational introduction to Nelson Mandela himself as well as into certain South African cultures. It was interesting to hear about Nelson Mandela from an outside perspective.

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Nov 08, 2019 Adam Cormier rated it it was amazing

Great recounting of life with Nelson Mandela after his release from prison and what it meant to be his grandson. Mandela made a point to get his grandson ready to inherit the duty of bringing South Africa out from underneath the long lasting effects of apartheid. Highly recommend.

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Nov 22, 2020 Greg Foster rated it it was amazing

This was a fantastic book, highly inspirational and well written. Would recommend to anyone wanting a new perspective on life in general, especially given the prominence of the black lives matter movement today.

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Jun 28, 2018 Anna rated it it was ok

2.5* Felt childish at times.

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Jul 07, 2018 Kathy rated it really liked it

This is a great story read by Mandela’s grandson!!

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Jul 29, 2018 Justine Allen rated it really liked it

Lovely book, great story.

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Sep 02, 2018 Sue rated it liked it

Fun read to hear about Nelson Mandela from his grandson's experience and perspective.

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Sep 07, 2018 Jasmine Fokkens rated it it was amazing

Great book

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Oct 26, 2018 Cathy rated it it was amazing

Excellent book by the grandson of Nelson Mandela. Well-written, honest and engaging. Ndaba Mandela calls us to listen!

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“There has to come a time when we children of apartheid, black and white, say to each other, "Look, my grandparents were not right with your grandparents. My parents were not right with your parents. But I want to be right with you." We have to be the generation who understands that racism, sexism, homophobia, religious bigotry - inequality in all its ugly guises - splinters the most powerful asset available to humankind: unity.” — 1 likes

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