Nelson & Winnie: inside the Mandelas' marriage

Jonny Steinberg chronicles the powerful yet tragic relationship between two of the key figures in the fight against apartheid

Published: November 29, 2024 at 7:00 AM

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Nelson and Winnie Mandela were one of the most famous couples of the 20th century. Their relationship became a powerful symbol of the freedom struggle in apartheid South Africa, but it was also dogged by infidelity, violence, Nelson's long imprisonment and the oppressive weight of the regime they fought against. In Jonny Steinberg's recent book, Winnie & Nelson: Portrait of a Marriage, the South African writer chronicles a tragic love story that was both personal and deeply political. The book has recently been shortlisted for the Wolfson History Prize and Rob Attar caught up with Jonny to find out more.

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Jonny Steinberg is the author of Winnie & Nelson: Portrait of a Marriage.

Hear our interviews with other Wolfson Prize-nominated authors here:

Andrew Seaton discusses the history of the NHS

Nicholas Radburn discusses trans-Atlantic slave traders

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Nandini Das discusses England's first embassy to India

Authors

Rob AttarHead of content and editor of HistoryExtra magazine

Rob Attar is head of content and editor of HistoryExtra magazine

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