Much has been documented about the unfailing humanity of Nelson Mandela even as he faced the most inhumane conditions during his 27 years in captivity. The Prison Letters of Nelson Mandela, edited by Sahm Venter (A Free Mind: Ahmed Kathrade's Notebook From Robben Island), powerfully illuminates the dignity and grace of Mandela through his own words--tender words of support for his wife, words of strength and determination for his friends, advocacy for the human rights of fellow prisoners and, most poignantly, brave words of hope and guidance for his children.
Mandela's long absence from his children haunted him, and in his letters, he accepts full responsibility for their compromised childhood. One of the most heartbreaking reminders of the sacrifices he made as a father is a loving letter to his 19-year-old daughter, which was never delivered to her. Despite uncertainty as to whether or not his missives would reach their intended audience, Mandela remained undeterred. He wrote thousands of letters and eagerly waited to hear back from family, friends, attorneys and supporters.
Venter's introductions and annotations provide vital context for the reader. As a journalist, he covered Mandela's prison years and now serves as a senior adviser to the Nelson Mandela Foundation. One might reasonably expect Mandela's prison correspondence to be gloomy or despondent but, instead, it is full of hope and inspiration, elevating one's comprehension of the human spirit's capacity to endure hardship for the sake of a higher cause. For Mandela, this higher cause was his simple belief that no human being is superior to another human being. --Shahina Piyarali, writer and reviewer