Ayanda is a South African actress, public figure and artivist best known for playing the title role in the SABC1 sitcom Nomzamo, since 2007. It is her however her current role as Phumemele on Isibaya that has cemented her presence in the acting industry. A role which saw her twice nominated for the Royalty Soapie Awards.

In this personal memoir, Ayanda tracks her journey back to self in a bid to return to her true self and to redefine her worth. Ayanda shares intimate details of her most profound experiences as a young girl in the township in a toxic relationship with a high flying gangster. As young woman falling pregnant out of wedlock and the ostracism she encountered. As a young black woman in a white male dominated corporate environment. As an artist who didn’t quite fit into mainstream popularity and her battle to maintain her authenticity in an industry that recognizes fake over real. As a loyal friend betrayed by someone she loved and trusted. As a mother overwhelmed by the expectations of being a supermom. As a young wife fighting not to lose herself in marriage. As well as finding God by going against the stereotypes that define God for us.

In this memoir Ayanda zooms into and challenges the social expectations, cultural conditioning and people perceptions that sets the narrative that dictates the “self worth” for girls and women. By unlearning and reflecting on the untrue narratives girls and women are told and taught about themselves and learning a different truth, girls and women can begin the ‘Unbecoming To Become’ journey of restoring their identity, reclaiming their power and redefining their self worth.

Nolitha Fakude grew up as a shopkeeper’s daughter in the Eastern Cape, studied at the University of FortHare and then entered the workplace in 1990 as a graduate trainee at Woolworths. Subsequently, she has worked in very senior positions at some major blue-chip companies, including Woolworths, Nedbank and Sasol. She was also managing director and then president of the Black Management Forum (BMF).

Over a career spanning 29 years, Nolitha spearheaded programmes that ensure the development of women and marginalised communities in the workplace and society. A passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, she has earned a well-deserved reputation as a corporate activist.

Nolitha is held in high regard within business circles and serves on numerous boards including the JSE Limited, Anglo American plc and Afrox Limited. Although Boardroom Dancing is her personal journey, it is also a lesson for South Africans committed to the transformation of boardrooms and the economy, and for women looking for role models as they climb corporate ladders and become thought-leaders

Nolitha Fakude was born in Cenyu a small village in the Eastern Cape outside Stutterheim and worked her way up from the shopfloor as a Graduate Trainee at Woolworths to become one of South Africa’s most respected and successful black business women. Nolitha is a humble leader who is widely respected as a pioneer who was at the forefront of transformation strategy, both within the companies she worked for and as a leader at the Black Management Forum where she worked with business, government and unions to drive change in South Africa.

It is almost impossible to keep up with the pace and direction in which business and technology are moving today.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE. AUTOMATION. BLOCKCHAIN. BIG DATA. INTERNET OF THINGS. THE FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION.

Who actually knows what any of these concepts mean for their business, much less how to integrate them? Things are moving at a faster pace than ever before and trying to keep up has become intimidating and overwhelming. It’s tempting to bury your head in the sand than try to make head or tail of it all. But none of the buzzwords actually matter! You don’t have to jump aboard every single change and adjustment in the market, or trade in your suit for a T-shirt, jeans and sneaker combo. If you have the right context, it’s a lot simpler to understand and use technological shifts as an opportunity to transform your business.

Tech Adjacent is about understanding the principles of tech and its pace, hearing the footsteps of where it might be going, knowing how disruption and innovation work tangibly and, most importantly, leveraging it for your individual exponential success. Innovation is contextual, so while Uber, Airbnb and Facebook are grandiose Silicon Valley success stories, they have little relevance in our own market. This book shares stories and case studies of African businesses, exposing who is getting disrupted as we speak and why, as well as how new companies are leading the next wave of growth. Mushambi Mutuma’s experience and expertise in both business and as a tech entrepreneur give real-life context to rapid change, unlocking future opportunities and offering tools to predict where your audience and industry are heading. He sells no big ideas, but genuinely shares his unique perspectives and know-how to help whoever he can in the process.

Tech Adjacent isn’t just another book on growing your business in 100 days, nor is it dry academic theory. It is the guidebook for not only surviving but excelling in a world of exponential growth. Whether you are a start-up entrepreneur or a corporate executive, this guide is a must for both present and future leaders.

Persuasiveness. Influence. A certain ‘something’ that makes it impossible for people to say no. Call it what you will, some people have it. DJ Sbu certainly does - it’s the quality that has helped him evolve from an ambitious boy growing up on Tembisa’s rough streets to a DJ, an entrepreneur, an author, a philanthropist and a speaker who graces stages around the world. In this book Sbu shares the secrets to cultivating this irresistible quality. Using events that have shaped his own life, he reveals how a positive outlook, resilience, hard work and determination can help you win in every sphere.

This inspiring read also acts as a practical handbook, showing you how to apply The Art Of Hustling to become a winning salesperson. It is DJ Sbu’s firm belief that, if you know how to sell, you will never go hungry. He also believes that this simple skill holds the key to solving Africa’s considerable unemployment problem.

His passion for youth development comes through loud and clear in this easy-to-read, easy-to-use handbook. Full of practical examples, sound advice and no-nonsense insights, it’s a must-have for every person who wishes to further their lives and their careers, whether in the corporate world or starting out on an entrepreneurial journey.

DJ Sbu’s career is testimony to his strength, resilience and spirit of innovation; the very qualities needed to get ahead in today’s rapidly evolving business environment. In sharing his story, he hopes to ignite others’ success.

The South African Special Forces achieved exceptional results with small groups of elite soldiers instead of larger, conventional teams. The Team Secret shows that the same principle applies in the business world – a small team has a much better chance of completing projects efficiently, on budget and on time.

Teams, rather than individuals, form the DNA of many companies and they play a pivotal role in achieving strategic and financial success. Like Special Forces teams, they must function as a well- oiled machine firing on all cylinders.

Koos Stadler tells in captivating detail about a real-life Special Forces operation and the lessons learnt about team dynamics and achieving the goal. His story, combined with anecdotes from Anton Burger’s experiences as a team leader in different work environments, show the many lessons the business world can take from the Special Forces.

The book identifies the key characteristics of an effective team, how to select the right team members, how to inculcate an ethos centred around team principles and how an effective team should be led. It speaks to both team members and team leaders across all managerial levels – from a team leader in a call centre to a project manager or CEO.

In short: To fast-track your business, shape up your teams!

Imagine learning from South Africa’s best of the best in their respective fields – be it business, sport, politics, entertainment or philanthropy – and having access to decades of experience in strategic planning, business and change management, human resources development, and the nitty-gritty of building a personal brand that extends to your business and everyone you employ. Look no further than the 200 pages of WIN! Inspiring Interviews with SA’s Top 20 Leaders by Jeremy Maggs.

With 30 years’ experience in journalism, marketing and public speaking, Maggs chooses the best of the best he has interviewed over the years, and succinctly captures their winning ways, business challenges, some spectacular failures and secrets of their trade to reach their ultimate goals – being winners! The book looks at attaining all brands of success – whether it be how one leader runs a multi-billion-dollar company; how another inspires masses of people to follow a trend, or how an idea can spark the innovation of a product so basic yet so integral to a community’s prosperity.

As you read the book, you will realise there are no hard and fast rules to reaching the top rung of the success ladder – there are unique twists and turns, which enrich each leader’s experience; they are faced with make-or-break split-second decisions; some get a lucky break, while others work, fail and work harder to become the cream of the crop. There is a method for each and every business owner, entrepreneur, manager or franchise owner to make their business bigger, better and a bold example of winning success.

Think Yourself Rich: A Step-by-Step Guide to Financial Independence is aimed at first-timeearners who want to put themselves on the right path to financial independence. It provides an easy-to-understand guide that explains in clear terms how to consciously choose and plan for a debt-free lifestyle and not only survive, but thrive, on the long-term journey towards financial freedom.

The book covers crucial issues about financial planning clearly and succinctly, including:

- Why it is important to get rid of all unnecessary debt as quickly as possible.

- When you should start saving or investing.

- How to plan for emergencies.

- How much and what kind of insurance you need.

- How much of your income you should save.

- How much of your income you should invest.

- Where, how and when you should invest.

Theoretical information about budgets, financial plans and investment (including all important terminology for various investment options) is interwoven with relevant reallife examples and scenarios that will inspire readers to set aside the time to design and write up a proper financial plan – and execute it. Each chapter builds on the previous one to help readers achieve their goals by sticking to their plans. This book will equip readers to take full control of their finances.

Most of the time, the road to riches is a closely guarded secret, until now. Jacana Media presents Mpho Dagada, one such young, self-made millionaire who in his memoir, Mr Bitcoin, shares his story of triumph and failure. He tells his story from the beginning: being brought up by business-minded and accomplished grandparents who planted in him the seeds of what it means to be successful in business.

Mpho Dagada’s interest in Bitcoin was ignited when he was in his first year at the University of Johannesburg in 2013 after opening his own laundry and cleaning service company. He invested his profits from this company in Bitcoin. He currently owns a logistics company, a chain of fast food restaurants and is in the process of developing the first black-owned cryptocurrency exchange platform.

This book is both motivational and practical, examining the errors and pitfalls that Dagada had to go through in his business pursuits. These included falling for Ponzi schemes like Kipi and losing his money on more than one occasion. Through these many lows were lessons of great value which ultimately led to the endless possibilities that Bitcoin presents for those interested in creating wealth through trading cryptocurrencies and running a successful business.

Dagada is confident in the viability of Bitcoin and ascertains that "we will never understand the money of the future without learning how money came about in the first place. Blockchain and Bitcoin are now pioneering a new online financial world. Cryptocurrencies will replace fiat money in the end, as they are faster, better and more convenient than all the earlier forms of currency."

A message for today’s women – it is time for you to step into your starring role.

Being empowered is a choice; it is a daily decision that defines who we are and it is accessible to everyone. Meeting Your Power is a reminder that power is inside all of us, and that your journey to empowerment begins with you!

This is the story of two remarkable women, DJ Zinhle and Nokubonga Mbanga, who have experienced life’s ups and downs. They share the lessons learnt on their life journeys through inspirational words - words that will invoke your inner power, words that will help you return home to your essence, and words that will encourage you to return to the source of your power, the power that we are all born with.

Being an empowered woman is more than just doing, it is also about being. This book will show you how to look at power differently and will help you to unleash and harness your inner power with honest, simple and practical examples and advice. Most importantly, you will learn that your greatest empowerment project is being authentically you, every day. Prepare to meet your power and radiate your possibilities. Let’s ignite a movement of women and girls who understand the higher meaning of love for oneself and others, who appreciate and celebrate our collective growth; who nurture a solid mindset of achievement and who value creating, protecting and preserving our inner peace.

Rise and Raise!

The Real Interior not only allows the reader a behind-the-scenes peek into the glitz and glamour of design and décor, but into a career once never considered an option for a young girl, born in Soweto.

As one of the first black and very recognisable faces of Interior Design in Africa, Nthabi Taukobong was thrust into the limelight from the very start of her profession. Spanning a career of more than 23 years she has worked on esteemed residential and leisure projects for presidents, African royalty, captains of industry and five-star hotels, to name but a few. Through the rough and often very challenging terrain of her chosen career, sprinkled generously with the high-end glamour of prestigious interiors that Nthabi has been privileged to work on, she learned that she, in fact, had to be seated right within her own interior before she could offer anything further to those in search of her creative gift.

And as she searched and explored the greater world of design, trying to grasp what it really took to be an esteemed designer, the journey unexpectedly brought her right back into her own home. Not only Nthabi’s physical home, but also to her inner-home, the place that she refers to as her ‘real interior’. It was in writing a letter one evening, congratulating herself on reaching the milestone of 21 years in her career, that Nthabi discovered she was not only writing to herself, but to every creative.

Her letter ended up being an entire book and Nthabi finally understood how her unique story could inspire and encourage others.

Could you be the Branson of business, the Clarkson of cars or the Schwarzenegger of bodybuilding? Could you stand out as the great and lasting leader of your industry?

In this book, Douglas Kruger takes us on a tour of different worlds and industries, unpacking the answer to a single question: What makes some people leaders in their field? Is it their disproportionate level of knowledge? Their charisma? Their marketing abilities? Is it the way they portray their own identities as ideals to be emulated by tribes of believers, or is it the way they have moved a body of knowledge forward? Most importantly, is it possible for us to emulate their success?

The answer is a resounding Yes!

In What Makes Them Great?, Kruger’s 50 practical, easy-to-follow suggestions spell out exactly what it would take for you to become so formidable within your own industry that your competitors struggle to keep up. Because, when you are the industry leader, the undisputed expert, the entire dynamic changes: the media and the deals come to you; your level of earning is exponentially higher; you enjoy privileged access and extraordinary leeway; you arrive to find the door already open.

Find out what it would take for you to become the Branson of business, the Clarkson of cars, the Oprah of talk-show television, and reap the financial and personal rewards. Find out how you can become the leading name in your industry.

Maverick. Leadership genius. Self-made millionaire. Dragon. The rock star of public speaking. Vusi Thembekwayo has been called many things.

Join him in his inspiring journey from the township to the top echelons of South African business, to becoming one of the youngest directors of a listed company and CEO of a boutique investment firm. As a Dragons' Den judge and a sought- after public speaker across the globe, Vusi doesn't just talk business – he lives it.

Now you can learn the secret of his success and how to shape your own destiny.

Pepe Marais began his entrepreneurial journey as a newspaper delivery boy at the age of twelve. After finishing high school at the end of 1986 he spent two years in the army completing what was then compulsory national service. On his way home at the end of his service he had a chance encounter with a graphic artist which completely changed the course of his life.

Pepe's latent talent for art was developed and honed at a Cape Town art school, where he finished top of his class each year, which in turn would lead him to discover his passion for advertising. After graduating, he and his partner Gareth Leck launched their enterprising Take-Away Advertising Agency and business success seemed a foregone conclusion.

But some unwise business decisions and then the global recession of 2008 took their toll and, to make matters worse, Pepe's personal life began to disintegrate. However, at the lowest point of his life, he would discover a fundamental insight which became the foundation on which he would rebuild his life. It would also inspire the development of his Purpose for Business methodology and his deep interest in unlocking both human and Joe Public United business potential.

While Growing Greatness contains many lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs, perhaps what is more important is the deep wisdom it offers. Through his growing awareness of what purpose means in both business and personal terms, Pepe points the way to growing your own greatness.

For the last twenty years, Melinda Gates has been on a mission. Her goal, as co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, has been to find solutions for people with the most urgent needs, wherever they live. Throughout this journey, one thing has become increasingly clear to her: if you want to lift a society up, invest in women.

Candid and inspiring, in The Moment Of Lift, Gates traces her awakening to the link between women’s empowerment and the health of societies. She shows some of the tremendous opportunities that exist right now to 'turbo-charge' change. And she provides simple and effective ways each one of us can make a difference. Convinced that all women should be free to decide whether and when to have children, Gates took her first step onto the global stage to make a stand for family planning. That step launched her into further efforts: to ensure women everywhere have access to every kind of job; to encourage men around the globe to share equally in the burdens of household work; to advocate for paid family leave for everyone; to eliminate gender bias in all its forms.

Throughout, Gates introduces us to her heroes in the movement towards equality, offers startling data, shares moving conversations she’s had with women from all over the world – and shows how we can all get involved.

A personal statement of passionate conviction, this book tells of Gates’ journey from a partner working behind the scenes to one of the world’s foremost advocates for women, driven by the belief that no one should be excluded, all lives have equal value, and gender equality is the lever that lifts everything.

“I believe in a healthy mind, soul and wallet.”

MILLIONAIRE AT 22 is the new GO-TO guide with detailed tips and techniques mixed with stories of personal experience. Join Albert on the journey of becoming a self-made millionaire at the age of 22. So, how do you become a millionaire at the age of 22 or any age you want to be?

This modern fresh take on business and self-development will quickly set you on the path of reaching your unique dreams and claiming that six figures. Practical, sincere, "punchy" and to the point. A well written manual to success with easy-to-apply principles.

“I will climb the stairs to success with you one step at a time. Join me and my team of Supers and let`s change the world.”

While some women seem to excel at making their money work for them, others battle from pay day to pay day. With this book, we tap into what these ‘smart women’ know that the rest of us can learn from.

Smart Woman will provide the necessary insights into how our personal view of money impacts on our financial behaviour and decisions; reveal who is competing for our money (retailers, online marketers, etc.); and look at why it is so hard to find money to invest (the first step to getting rich is having money to invest – money makes money). It also covers how major life events, such as marriage and divorce, impact on us and how we can make smart financial decisions at these times.

Smart Woman will show the reader how she can take control of her financial life by spending smarter, tackling debt and setting goals. It explains how money is made and how the financial markets work, as well as the universal principles behind growing wealth, irrespective of where one invests.

A must-read for every woman, at any age, who is serious about building wealth and obtaining financial independence.

What's keeping you from greatness? Whatever it is, learn to focus your thoughts and reach the success you desire with the inspirational self-help book, #IPrayINeverDieBroke: Mind Power.

Author Nkosi James Moremoholo encourages you to empower yourself by overcoming personal shortcomings and obstacles on your way to achieving wealth. He guides you on a journey to discover your purpose in life…and cautions you on how your inner thoughts can either help or hinder your progress. But it's not all about you. Moremoholo also stresses the importance of giving back as he explains how money enables you to help the less fortunate. Richness doesn't only refer to monetary accumulation; it also means achieving harmony with others and a positive mental attitude. Not being broke may benefit you personally, but it also helps society as a whole. Entrepreneurship, therefore, comes with responsibility. You must learn to create jobs, help the underprivileged, and—as Moremoholo suggests—change the world.

Don't settle for ordinary. Harness your thoughts and achieve greatness today!

Erik Kruger is a high-performance coach and founder of the Mental Performance Lab. He writes an email early each morning which he sends to many thousands of subscribers. The aim of his daily message is to inspire people, asking them to reflect and act. Packed with more than 160 thoughtful reflections on what it takes to live a life of action and not words, Acta Non Verba’s purpose is to get people moving, creating, and generating an unstoppable drive in both their business and personal journeys.

The words Acta Non Verba is the sign-off Erik uses in all his emails. This simple Latin phrase, meaning ‘Actions Not Words’, has started a movement. It’s a plea; a call to create your life instead of living it by default, a call to show your intentions instead of merely speaking about them. It’s a call to live to your fullest potential. This is not a book to read from cover to cover, in one sitting. Each day there is a new chapter waiting to be read. Put this book on your bedside table, and read a new chapter with your first cup of coffee every morning. Each message is short so you can read it quickly, in the moment, and then reflect and act on it for the entire day. It’s a book that demands action.

ACTIONS, NOT WORDS

Remember, it’s not about the words on these pages; it’s about what you do with them.

Tony Robbins, arguably the most recognizable life and business strategist and guru, is back with a timely, unique follow-up to his smash New York Times bestseller Money: Master the Game.

Market corrections are as constant as seasons are in nature. There have been 30 such corrections in the past 30 years, yet there's never been an action plan for how not only to survive, but thrive through each change in the stock market. Building upon the principles in Money: Master the Game, Robbins offers the reader specific steps they can implement to protect their investments while maximizing their wealth.

It's a detailed guide designed for investors, articulated in the common-sense, practical manner that the millions of loyal Robbins fans and students have come to expect and rely upon. Few have navigated the turbulence of the stock market as adeptly and successfully as Tony Robbins. His proven, consistent success over decades makes him singularly qualified to help investors (both seasoned and first-timers alike) preserve and add to their investments.

DJ Sbu is not your ordinary entrepreneur. He was born to be great and refuses to settle for less.

Have you ever wondered what, exactly, goes on inside a successful entrepreneur’s head – how they came up with their ground-breaking ideas, how they turned them into a business, how they handle failure and what it took to get them where they are today? Billionaires Under Construction answers these questions, and more, as it charts the rise and rise of Sibusiso Leope, one of South Africa’s most dynamic entrepreneurs. From his childhood in Tembisa to the global stage as a best-selling DJ, from music mogul and co-owner of TS Records – the label behind some of South Africa’s brightest young stars – and, more recently, the force behind the country’s first black-owned energy drink, Sbu’s story is one of courage, resilience, inspiration and a refusal to let the put-downs stop him. In his own words, "you just can’t stop his go".

Billionaires Under Construction is a blueprint of Sbu’s success; an honest and direct account of the setbacks he’s encountered, including his high profile dismissal from two of South Africa’s most prominent radio stations and his equally notorious run-in with Forbes. Sbu’s handling of these situations shows the triumph of his entrepreneurial spirit and the tenacity of a man who does, indeed, consider himself a billionaire under construction – and won’t stop until his goal has become a reality.

More than this, it’s a handbook to show other entrepreneurs how they can do the same; a slice of motivation to show them that it can be done, and a tool-kit to show them how.

Awaken curiosity. Cultivate wisdom. Discover the abundant future.

In a data-laden, disrupted, dread-inducing world, how can we see clearly into the future? How can we navigate through the data, become the disruptors and replace our sense of dread for the future with a clear-thinking, positive vision of things to come?

Following his first two ground-breaking books, What’s Your Moonshot? and Magnetiize, John Sanei turns his endless curiosity to the perspectives, perceptions and prejudices that prepare us for our illogical future. He breaks down the four types of seeing – HINDsight, PLAINsight, INsight and FOREsight – we humans use to guide us through the world and into the future. Then, with 20 shots of vivid, eye-opening FOREsight, he gives readers the opportunity to peer into what that future could be.

> What can the history of the first autonomous vehicle, the elevator, teach us about autonomous cars and their effect on real estate and city planning?

> Why will the gold in our smartphones change the way we mine gold from the ground?

> How can you connect the invisible dots between the confusion of today and the grand potential of tomorrow?

Today disruption is a part of our daily business vocabulary. We’re all aware of it, and yet many of us still struggle to cope with fast-paced change. How do we take control of our future? What can we do to stop chasing and start attracting – start MAGNETiiZING – the life we want?

In his bestselling What’s Your Moonshot?, global speaker and trend specialist John Sanei explained how the world is changing exponentially. In his follow-up Magnetiize, he challenges business leaders, employees and individuals to become future-ready, asking a selection of thoughtprovoking questions along the way: Is your organisation profit-led or purpose-led? Are you building a fast-paced flash-in-the-quarterly-profit-balancesheet-pan or an elegant legacy? Are you a bystander of disruption or a creator of the future? Are you running away from the darkness or towards the light? How can you find your purpose and build a life in which you attract to you the future of your own making? In answering these and other questions, John explains how to inspire the best people to work with you; how to build an army of superfans (not just clients and consumers); how to build a culture that creates disruption itself (rather than being disrupted); and, ultimately, how to rethink the world we live in.

It’s time to reevaluate the concept and measures of success.

It’s time to stop chasing life, and to MAGNETiiZE the life you want.

Tafadzwa Zimunhu Taruvinga, a young Zimbabwean, enrolls to study economics at Rhodes University in South Africa. As a foreign student, the fees are exorbitant, exacerbated by the fact that currency has become increasingly problematic in the ailing economy back home. Determined to graduate with a Rhodes degree, Tafadzwa is prepared to do anything – from unpacking groceries to cleaning shit-splattered toilets and waitering for a pittance. Constantly cash-strapped, most nights he goes to sleep hungry. Sometimes he needs to be inventive when concocting a meal.

I poured the boiled water into the bowl of crumby Kellogg’s Cornflakes and carefully added a few granules of Knorr powder soup over the crushed smithereens. I mixed it all together, gnashed my teeth and forced down each bite with ample struggle. I was hungry. For most it would be unfathomable, eating a meal that wasn’t one. But I wanted to graduate with a Rhodes University degree so badly that ‘Knorr cornflakes’ seemed like a reasonable supper to allay the aching pangs.

‘This is not so bad,’ I tried to convince myself as I forced down the putrid slush. In truth, it was horrible. I was all too aware that the inedible concoction was the price I must pay for my education. When the plate was clean, I washed down the meal with a glass of warm water. Then I rinsed my zebra bowl, the plastic spoon and the glass and wiped them dry. For dessert, I wept quietly.

Tafadzwa’s drive to conquer a world steeped in impenetrable hardships and prejudice is inspirational. He is a multi-faceted man: a son, a brother, a husband, a father to be, an immigrant, a waiter, a Catholic, a rebel, a graduate, a man bent on self-destruction, a man seeking redemption. Above all Tafadzwa is a true survivor.

The Educated Waiter is a groundbreaking memoir giving voice to the previously unheard plight of the immigrant graduate. A go-getter African, Tafadzwa’s story is a powerful recollection of his quest to find a better life in South Africa, Germany, the UAE and Zimbabwe. Both witty and poignant, The Educated Waiter indefatigably confronts poverty, racism, xenophobia and classism, all the while making you laugh.

What does everyone in the modern world need to know? A renowned psychologist answers hard questions with a unique combination of ancient wisdom and clinical experience.

Jordan Peterson's work as a clinical psychologist has reshaped the modern understanding of personality, and now he has become one of the world's most popular public thinkers, with his lectures on topics ranging from the Bible to romantic relationships drawing tens of millions of viewers. In an era of polarizing politics, echo chambers and trigger warnings, his startling message about the value of personal responsibility and the dangers of ideology has resonated around the world.

In this book, he combines ancient wisdom with decades of experience to provide twelve profound and challenging principles for how to live a meaningful life, from setting your house in order before criticising others to comparing yourself to who you were yesterday, not someone else today. Gripping, thought-provoking and deeply rewarding, 12 Rules For Life offers an antidote to the chaos in our lives: eternal truths applied to our modern problems.

When Feyi Olubodun, CEO of one of West Africa’s leading creative agencies, witnessed one too many cases of brands failing in the African marketplace he began to ask himself questions:
- Why did brands, both global and local, so often fail to connect with the African consumer?
- What was it about the African market that brand owners were not seeing?

He began to reflect on his own marketing experiences and out of this emerged the framework for The Villager.

In Feyi’s view, the African consumer begins his life’s journey by moving from the village, his rural dwelling, to the city, carrying with him not only his own dreams but also the dreams of his community. He is a highly aspirational consumer, motivated to succeed, and he becomes the economic portal for the rest of his community back home. But although he may be exposed to global influences and technology, his essential identity remains largely intact. This is why Feyi calls the African consumer a Villager. The Village is no longer a physical space; it is a psychological construct that defines him and the filter through which he engages with and consumes brands.

In developing his construct, Feyi posits that if you wish to engage successfully in a market you may not understand, you must have the right ‘lenses’ to view a people. He believes the secret lies in applying these lenses at the confluence of commerce, culture and consumer. Data is not enough to understand the vagaries of a particular market. Drawing on his wide experience and wealth of astute observations, he provides a highly readable and indispensable guide to the mindset of the African consumer today, yet it is true to say that his insights apply, albeit in a more nuanced way, to consumer behaviour across the globe.

The Villager is essential reading for brand owners wishing to conquer new markets.