Powerful women telling their stories in their own words.

Inspirational, powerful women

Date

04.08.25

The inspirational stories of powerful women

This Women’s Month – and indeed every month – we’ve been inspired by the stories of powerful South African women who have succeeded in overcoming challenges that many of us would see as impossible. Not only have these women blazed a bright trail across the sky, but they have also somehow made time in their crazy-busy schedules to write their autobiographies.

Image courtesy of Dmitry Mashkin. Published on: March 22nd, 2021. Source: unsplash.com

In these books, they tell their life stories and reveal the secrets of their success, from the people who believed in them and mentored them to the setbacks and disappointments that drove them on. We’ll be honest, we can’t get enough of autobiographies by powerful women, so here are a few of our current must-read favourites.

Caster Semenya – The Race to be Myself

Caster Semenya’s triumphs on the racetrack were arguably the easiest part of her journey – after all, it seems she was born to run, and run fast. However, she has also faced a whirlwind of controversy and discrimination, with very public debates that have examined the most private details of her life. Throughout all the trying times and court cases and medical examinations, Caster has maintained her dignity as she has fought for the right to compete as herself. A multiple World and Olympic Champion, Caster has had to contend with not just beating her fellow athletes, but also overcoming prejudice, ignorance and short-sighted attitudes from sporting authorities. Reading Caster’s autobiography has made us believe in the power of being true to who we really are.

Magda Wierzycka – Magda (My Journey)

Magda Wierzycka arrived in South Africa with almost nothing, and has worked her way up to being one of Mzansi’s richest and most influential women. Not only that, but she has done this in the notoriously male-dominated financial services industry. The founder and boss of Sygnia, Magda didn’t have the easiest of starts in life – and that’s perhaps why she’s not afraid to fight for what is right. That includes the right of her customers to transparency and low fees, and the right of all South Africans to be free from the scourge of corruption. As you might imagine – and as her book reveals – she has made powerful enemies along the way, but none of them have been able to hold her back.

Redi Tlhabi – Endings and Beginnings

Journalist and award-winning writer Redi Tlhabi grew up in Orlando, Soweto, during apartheid. Her first hero was her father, but he was brutally murdered in the street while she was a child. This traumatic event unleashed deep, intense emotions in Redi, and set her on a remarkable path that included a relationship with a notorious local gangster. It is that compelling yet uncomfortable relationship that forms the main subject of this searing autobiography. As well as being an authentic voice speaking about troubled times in her own life and in the life of South Africa, Redi has been a radio presenter and producer and is now happily married with two children of her own. Her story is one of redemption and hope, and she is unflinching in the way she examines her own motives and actions. That’s something we could all learn from.

Sisonke Msimang – Always Another Country

Sisonke Msimang grew up dreaming about South Africa – which, at the time, was the one place she couldn’t live, as her parents were political exiles. Growing up and studying, she spent time in Kenya and Canada, among other places, always yearning for a country she barely knew. When Sisonke was finally able to live in South Africa, she found Mzansi to be quite different from how she had imagined it – for better and for worse. Reading her memoir provides a revealing look at this country from both outside and within, and makes us more determined than ever to contribute to making the Rainbow nation what it could – and should – be, for everyone.