Wiseman Nkuhlu: A Life of Purpose

The book recounts over 60 years in the remarkable life of this man of many firsts , specifically the first African Chartered Accountant. It tells the story of a man who became one of the most influential South Africans of our time, playing key roles in academia, philanthropy, development, business and politics.

While on Robben Island after being imprisoned by the apartheid government at the age of 19, the young Wiseman Nkuhlu had a dream that he would one day be the chief economist for the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), the forerunner of the African Union.But the society he had been born into was one of repression and marginalisation of black South Africans.

Nkuhlu counts as his crowning moment his appointment as economic adviser to former President Thabo Mbeki. It was from that position that he was able to fulfil his Robben Island dream when he helped to craft the New Plan for Africa’s Development (Nepad) and then go on to play a critical leading role in Nepad’s Steering Committee.

Wiseman was born on 5 February 1944 in Cala, Eastern Cape South Africa.