The Other Story is a fireside chat with African Achievers, men and women of different ages, different backgrounds from different parts of the continent. I chose leaders/entrepreneurs that had achieved in their personal capacity but had also gone out of their way to lift others. At the outset I had been aware that their journeys through life, and especially their career paths, would be interesting and diverse, covering various entrepreneurial concerns in the fields of finance -Gloria Serobe, Zanele Mbeki, Information Technology -Ali Mufuruki, Kevin Lubega, agribusiness -Nhlanhla Dlamini, health -Dr Peter Matseke, education & mentorship -Sizwe Nxasana, Fred Swaniker & Mabutho Mthembu, retail -Dr Richard Maponya, Babatunde Folawiyo, and more. But the unexpected outcome of the talks was that these wide-ranging stories have running through them a golden thread, spun from the values that these remarkable people hold dear, as well as things they regard as important, even non-negotiable.
The Other Story seeks to tell a story of what Africans are capable of – no matter where you find them in the world, no matter what age they are, no matter what gender they are, no matter what qualification they hold, no matter what sector of the economy they operate in. It’s not the complete story, because there are many Africans who do things that don’t make one proud as an African. However, we read about these all the time. My purpose is to tell the other story, a story that humanises us, that repairs our broken dignity, that empowers us and the generations that follow: a story that inspires us, our children and their children. Those are the stories that I want my grandchildren to read ‘over and over again, till they see themselves’ and other Africans in them.
The interviews were made possible by many daughters, sons, sisters and brothers that I’ve met over time. These gifts of life were designed by destiny to enrich my journey as I navigate the mystery called life. I thank my extended family for opening doors for me and trusting me with their relationship.
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