with me. >> simon: in afrikaans?> la grange: that's right. >> simon: your language. >> la grange: which is my home language. and i didn't understand a word he was saying because i was so shocked. there was a feeling of guilt immediately over... overtaking my emotions, that i felt responsible for taking away so many years of his life. >> simon: you broke down? >> la grange: yes, yes, i started crying. >> simon: mandela hired zelda, brought her into his office. >> mandela: zelda la grange? >> simon: he wanted his old oppressors to know they'd be okay in the new south africa. zelda la grange had a role to play. so it was a political decision, you think. >> la grange: yes, definitely. there was some political thinking behind it, for sure, some strategy, absolutely. >> simon: it wasn't long before zelda became his most trusted assistant. for the last 16 years, every pop star, politician, president or pope who wanted to see the great man knew enough to cozy up to zelda la grange. >> mandela: i still recognize you! >> simon