Madiba mandela biography for kids

September 9, 2009 – To mark International Literacy Week, Macmillan in association with the READ Trust and the Nelson Mandela Foundation have launched a children’s version of Mr Mandela’s autobiography Long Walk to Freedom.

South African author Chris van Wyk was at the launch today, held at the READ Educational Trust in Johannesburg.

“I’ve been looking forward to this day – I was very honoured when asked to write this book,” said Van Wyk. 

The book is illustrated by South African artist Paddy Bouma.

One hundred learners from schools in Gauteng involved with the READ Educational Trust literacy programme attended the launch along with staff of the Foundation, Macmillan and the READ Trust.

The programme reaches out to disadvantaged schools, providing them with literacy skills.

Dušanka Stojaković, managing director of Macmillan, told the learners how important it was for them to read. “It is from you that we’ll draw our future authors – I look forward to receiving yo