Nadine Gordimer: Who alive today do you admire most, and what draws you to them?

The question

Originally asked

The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A

The Guardian's Q&A repeatedly uses this prompt, sometimes dropping 'living' while retaining the same comparative judgment.

You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.

Nadine Gordimer

South African writer

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

Nelson Mandela. The epitome of courage and intelligence.

The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 9 March 2012 source ↗

Mentioned in this answer

Julian Sands British actor

David Hare – he’s always fascinating and funny.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 9 May 2020 source ↗

Sadie Frost English actress, producer, film director and fashion designer

My mother, Mary Davidson, for having me at 16 – a child herself – and raising me with very little.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 5 September 2015 source ↗

Carlos Acosta, for his incredible achievement in dance.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 16 October 2010 source ↗

My wife, Grace.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, September 2019 source ↗

Camping in the bushveld with my man.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 9 March 2012 source ↗

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