Winnie and Nelson: Portrait of a Marriage

South African writer Steinberg (A Man of Good Hope) offers a dual biography illuminating the lives and accomplishments of husband and wife Nelson Mandela and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. Drawing upon recently released documents and recordings, Steinberg paints a no-holds-barred picture of South Africa’s power couple. The author describes their early lives, which set the stage for their later political activities. Eighteen years Winnie’s senior, Nelson became the leader of the African National Congress while Winnie raised their children at home. The Mandelas spent only the first two years of their marriage together; after that, Nelson was either underground or imprisoned. While Nelson served a life sentence on Robben Island, Winnie began to believe that only armed insurrection would free Black South Africans. After his 1990 release from prison, Nelson served as president of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. Privately, the couple’s relationship was falling apart, scarred by infidelity and political pressure; they separated in 1992 and finalized their divorce in 1996. South African narrator Puleng Lange-Stewart provides an exceptional performance, enhancing Steinberg’s words with her lively, engaging delivery. Although this is a lengthy audio, Lange-Stewart’s narration makes the hours fly by.