'Mandela’s Last Years' book causes controversy

CAIRO – 25 July 2017: Publisher Penguin Random House has withdrawn 'Mandela’s Last Years', a book written by South African activist Nelson Mandela's personal doctor, after Mandela's widow, Graca Machel criticized the book for its supposedly undignified portrayal of Mandela's failing health.

Mandela's doctor, Vejay Ramlakan, had released the book last week to coincide with Mandela's birthday, July 18, which has become celebrated as 'Mandela Day'. Machel accused Ramlakan of violating privacy agreements, releasing too much personal information about her ill husband and his family during his last days.

The book was recalled on Monday, July 24, with no further copies to be made. Penguin Random House also issued a statement reported by the Guardian that the book “was meant to portray Nelson Mandela’s courage and strength until the very end of his life, and was in no way intended to be disrespectful.”