Zelda la Grange is a former private secretary to Nelson Mandela, best selling author, and TEDx speaker who travels the world sharing her stories and experiences. As a keynote speaker, Zelda aims to motivate listeners through anecdotes, life experiences, and time spent in the service of President Nelson Mandela. Due to her fascinating career, engaging storytelling techniques, and overall passion for her topics, Zelda is a highly regarded and sought after speaker.
After growing up in South Africa, Zelda went on to obtain a 3-year National Diploma as Executive Secretary. Her career then began at the Department of State Expenditure, where she spent her time working as an Assistant Private Secretary. Further into her career, Zelda was promoted to become one of President Mandela’s 3 Private Secretaries and when he later retired, he chose her to remain working for him. Alongside Professor Jakes Gerwel, Zelda was the only other founding staff member of Mr. Nelson Mandela's post-Presidential Office, from which the Nelson Mandela Foundation was established. She served President Mandela in various roles until his passing in December 2013.
Since then, Zelda has been recognised by numerous organisations for her dedication to Nelson Mandela, earning honours such as the Frederik van Zyl Slabbert and Paul Harris Fellowships. She works with several charitable organisations and later founded a non-profit in her name, aiding children in protection and foster care. Zelda serves on the Board of the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, promoting democracy and non-racialism. As an international speaker, she has addressed prestigious audiences, including at Campfire 2015 by Jeff Bezos, the Council of State in the Netherlands, and the Bill Clinton Foundation. Her memoir, ‘Good Morning, Mr Mandela’, became an international bestseller and is being adapted into a film. Zelda also Co-Hosted a national TV Talk Show and Co-Produced an award-winning documentary on Mandela.
Today, Zelda travels all around the globe to share her stories and knowledge, in the hope that she can inspire people to lead with love. A strong advocate for racial equality, diversity & inclusion and non-violence, Zelda la Grange is now available to hire for corporate and other events. If you are looking for a speaker with experiences people can learn from, hire Zelda la Grange today!
How to hire Zelda la Grange
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Zelda la Grange for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
** We do not accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, birthday messages or any other non-commercial contact with the speakers or acts. Each speaker on the website may not have necessarily worked with Champions in the past but are known to perform such engagements within the industry.
Zelda la Grange's speaker topics are listed below:
- Transformation
- Diversity & Inclusion
- Legacy
- Powerful Partnership
- Nelson Mandela
Official Feedback from In-Person and Virtual Events
Feedback from In-Person Events:
"Her talk conveyed the importance of ethical leadership in practical ways as demonstrated by Nelson Mandela throughout his life. Business leadership can learn a great deal from the lessons he taught Ms La Grange and find relevance to apply these lessons in their daily private and personal lives. Her talk was entertaining and she managed to capture her audience as she reminisced by sharing anecdotes from her time with him." - Jonathan, Customer Director, Pick 'n Pay Retailers
"It was insightful and informative presentation. It also challenged us to look at how we treat others and ourselves. Her delivery was sincere, compassionate and encourage people to open-up and work together." - Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers
"I like Zelda's honesty and how she related her experiences to our role as social workers. Very educative and thought provoking." - Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers
"I thought the presentation was so interesting and pertinent that I ordered the speaker's book. It's valuable to learn how others have overcome racism. I really appreciated her honesty and vulnerability in providing us with her process in addressing her racism - its origin and her choices along her journey" - Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers
"She was phenomenal. She spoke to so many issues that are relevant in the work we do and was so personable. Great choice." - Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers
"It gives me great pleasure to recommend Ms Zelda La Grange as an author and public speaker. In addition to enjoying her book, I have had the opportunity to engage Ms La Grange on 3 occasions; twice through events that I have chaired as part of my membership of the Young President's Organisation (YPO) and once with The International Institute of Management Development (IMD) in my capacity as President of the Alumni Club of South Africa. In both instances, an international audience was present with business leaders and their spouses as well as family members, in the case of the YPO. The story told by Ms La Grange, makes for compelling listening - interspersed with anecdotes from Nelson Mandela and her learnings working alongside the most iconic statesman and leader of the 20th Century. At each event the audience was drawn into the stories and happenings conveyed by Ms La Grange and the moral lessons that are so compelling for us all. In addition, our participants were delighted to receive signed copies of Ms La Grange's book and the opportunity of a photograph with out acknowledged speaker. Ms La Grange could not have been more accommodating - I have no reservation in recommending her most highly." - Adam, Chief Executive Officer, IQ Business
- 2023 - Board of Trustees, Ahmed Kathrada Foundation
- 2022 - Established the Zelda la Grange Foundation
- 2019 - Co-produced “A Glorious Human Achievement”, an award-winning 6-part documentary
- 2018 - Presented at the Bill Clinton Foundation
- 2018 - Delivered the 5th Annual Nelson Mandela lecture at the University of Gent
- 2017 - Addressed the Council of State in the Netherlands
- 2015 - Invited to speak at Campfire 2015
- 2014 - Author of “Good Morning, Mr. Mandela”
- 2010 - Started as a Public Speaker
- 1999 - Private Secretary, Executive Assistant, Spokesperson, Manager of the Founder's office
- 1994 - Assistant Private Secretary, Office of the President of South Africa
- 1992 - Department of State Expenditure, South African Government
