Description
‘Nozipho’s story shows how all our experiences are rehearsals getting us ready for the big stages of life. It’s a wonderful piece of work!’ – Dr Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, former Deputy President of South Africa
Nozipho Mbanjwa-Tshabalala is a high-performing, excellence-driven, successful black woman. At any given time, she knows what is expected of her, how well she is doing, and what is next on her list of goals.
Being in control of everything in her life was crucial to her survival and success. For the most part, it had always served her well – until it didn’t. After The Fires is an inspirational memoir where Nozipho shares her deeply personal journey about managing life as the “golden girl” and what it takes to have it all.
The book begins with her receiving the news of her mother’s passing while she stood on the biggest stage of her career. This event sends her into a spiral that leads her to reevaluate her ideas of success and what it costs to achieve it. Raised in a challenging political time in Pietermaritzburg KZN, the world was not her oyster. It was a series of miniscule gaps of opportunity that could not – must not – be squandered. And if she did her best, she could have it all. Now in her 40s, she has realised that what she needed to survive, may not be what she needs to thrive.
Ultimately, it’s a story of growth, courage, and letting go. The memoir also touches on her familial journey, the emotional and physical challenges of infertility, and how she learned to surrender control.
