The Individual, Auto/biography and History in South Africa

single sitting”. 191 However, it was also seen as having created a “sanitised history in which
Mandela becomes the struggle and the struggle becomes Mandela”. 192 The well heeled
could instead have chosen the “elegant walk to freedom”. 193 Long Walk to Freedom was
made available “with scenery” in an illustrated edition, and a limited number was also
made available as a de luxe version “quarter bound by hand in Wassa goatskin”. 194 In this
version, the pages were gilt edged and each volume was “individually boxed in a lined
boxcase”. A specially commissioned portrait, signed by Nelson Mandela was included in
each copy of the limited edition. 195
In spite of the styling of all the versions of Long Walk as autobiographies, it is clear that
they were auto/biographies, combining both autobiography as well as biography. The
main book originated in writing that Mandela had begun secretly in 1974 while on Robben
Island. In spite of discovery and confiscation by the authorities, a copy had been safely
taken off the island. Mandela continued work on the manuscript after his release in 1990.
It was co‐Rivonia trialist and co‐prisoner, Ahmed Kathrada, who was acknowledged as
having spent long hours “revising, correcting and giving accuracy to the story”. Mandela
also acknowledged the collaboration of Richard Stengel and his assistant Mary Pfaff “in
the creation of this book, providing invaluable assistance in editing and revising the first
parts and in the writing of the latter parts”. Interestingly, Gail Gerhart was thanked for
“her factual review of the manuscript”. 196
All these interventions, as well as those in subsequent editions, by professional assistants,
editors, comrades, academics and publishers imply a more complex production and
authorship than the notion of ‘autobiography’ acknowledges. Long Walk was published in
the autobiographic convention of the first person, but this may also be a reflection of a
marketing and business strategy, and the value attached to Mandela’s life story, packaged
191 Philippa Garson, ‘Mandela Book Abridged for Easier Reading’, Mail and Guardian, 11 to 17 October,
1996.
192 Terry Eager, ‘Suddenly it’s a Hop, Skip, and Jump to Freedom’, Sunday Times, 10 November 1996.
193 Anthea Bristowe, ‘And Now, the Elegant Walk to Freedom’, Sunday Times, 22 December 1996.
194 Flyer on The Illustrated Long Walk to Freedom (De Luxe Edition), Exclusive Books, 1996.
195 Flyer on The Illustrated Long Walk to Freedom (De Luxe Edition), Exclusive Books, 1996.
196 Long Walk to Freedom, Acknowledgements.
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