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Conversations with My Sons and Daughters
An inter-generational set of conversations about the country of our dreams and the reality on the ground. It concludes with a section that focuses on the need for healing
of our woundedness as individuals, families, communities and the nation. It includes findings from a study that show how unleashing the energy of poor people can make a significant difference in the choices they make as they become agents of change. Mamphela Ramphele is a South African academic, businesswoman and medical doctor and was an anti-apartheid activist. She is a current trustee on the board of the Rockefeller Foundation in New York. In this book she speaks to the youth of the nation about taking responsibility and changing their attitudes. It is wonderfully motivational and inspiring.
of our woundedness as individuals, families, communities and the nation. It includes findings from a study that show how unleashing the energy of poor people can make a significant difference in the choices they make as they become agents of change. Mamphela Ramphele is a South African academic, businesswoman and medical doctor and was an anti-apartheid activist. She is a current trustee on the board of the Rockefeller Foundation in New York. In this book she speaks to the youth of the nation about taking responsibility and changing their attitudes. It is wonderfully motivational and inspiring.
224 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2012
16 people are currently reading
170 people want to read
About the author
Mamphela Ramphele
26 books8 followersMamphela Ramphele is a leading South African academic, businesswoman, medical doctor and former anti-apartheid activist. She is a trustee of the Nelson Mandela and Steve Biko Foundations and Founder of the Citizens Movement.
She is the current leader of Agang, a developing political party.
She is the current leader of Agang, a developing political party.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 10, 2015
The book starts with this Sepedi idiom: 'Mabu a u tswitswe' (The soil has been stolen), which simply means something is terribly wrong with the current state of affairs in our country. These words are uttered by a young man during his conversation with Dr Ramphele. The young man seems overwhelmed by frustrations and anguish. He is facing the dilemma of speaking out against corruption at his workplace and jeopardising his great career prospects, or shutting up and focuing on reaching the upper echelons of his career. And somehow this story sets the tone for the rest of the book.
Over the years Dr Mamphela Ramphele has been known for speaking out against social ills in our society freely. She has the audacity to challenge those in power and tell them exactly what is on her mind. Conversations with My Sons and Daughters is precisely that: Ramphele just being her usual voice-of-reason self. The book addresses pertinent questions and issues which seem to be frustrating today’s youth. And those issues include corruption in the public sector, the culture of impunity, failure of leadership, lawlessness in our society, poor education and social pain amongst many. In a nutshell, Dr Ramphele is calling for our generation (today’s youth) to become advocates of change. She is calling for us to speak out and act against the culture of impunity. But is that even possible? I wonder.
What I liked about the book is that Dr Ramphele uses a lot of events which have taken place everywhere over the years as examples to illustrate her points. You endup spending more time trying to read extensively on these events, which are really just mentioned in passing when you read the book. You end up feeling as though you are indeed having a conversation with a grandparent. Apart from the fact that it might take you weeks to finish reading the book because her slow manner of articulating her views comes out so loudly and clearly in each and every line, the book is a fairly easy read.
After reading the book, people who like Dr Mamphela Ramphele will like her even more and those who dislike her will also remain the same. She doesn’t talk about how white South Africans are still wealthier than their fellow black citizens, how they benefited from the injustices of the past, or why they are still at the helm of the economy. She doesn’t talk about the fact that loads of utterly poor people are still black but she does bash the ANC for everything that is wrong with this country. It's their fault, she seems to be suggesting. She does not talk about the ownership of mines in the country but she does bash Julius Malema for turning away potential investors by his utterances on the nationalisation of mines. She is not apologetic and speaks her mind without fear but with a certain annoying level of obsession with the ANC.
Published by Penguin, Conversations with My Sons and Daughters is conversational, educational, absorbing, and informative and Dr Mamphela Ramphele is absolutely daring, as always!
Over the years Dr Mamphela Ramphele has been known for speaking out against social ills in our society freely. She has the audacity to challenge those in power and tell them exactly what is on her mind. Conversations with My Sons and Daughters is precisely that: Ramphele just being her usual voice-of-reason self. The book addresses pertinent questions and issues which seem to be frustrating today’s youth. And those issues include corruption in the public sector, the culture of impunity, failure of leadership, lawlessness in our society, poor education and social pain amongst many. In a nutshell, Dr Ramphele is calling for our generation (today’s youth) to become advocates of change. She is calling for us to speak out and act against the culture of impunity. But is that even possible? I wonder.
What I liked about the book is that Dr Ramphele uses a lot of events which have taken place everywhere over the years as examples to illustrate her points. You endup spending more time trying to read extensively on these events, which are really just mentioned in passing when you read the book. You end up feeling as though you are indeed having a conversation with a grandparent. Apart from the fact that it might take you weeks to finish reading the book because her slow manner of articulating her views comes out so loudly and clearly in each and every line, the book is a fairly easy read.
After reading the book, people who like Dr Mamphela Ramphele will like her even more and those who dislike her will also remain the same. She doesn’t talk about how white South Africans are still wealthier than their fellow black citizens, how they benefited from the injustices of the past, or why they are still at the helm of the economy. She doesn’t talk about the fact that loads of utterly poor people are still black but she does bash the ANC for everything that is wrong with this country. It's their fault, she seems to be suggesting. She does not talk about the ownership of mines in the country but she does bash Julius Malema for turning away potential investors by his utterances on the nationalisation of mines. She is not apologetic and speaks her mind without fear but with a certain annoying level of obsession with the ANC.
Published by Penguin, Conversations with My Sons and Daughters is conversational, educational, absorbing, and informative and Dr Mamphela Ramphele is absolutely daring, as always!
April 1, 2017
There is a beautiful quote in Mamphele Ramphele's mother tongue, Sepedi, that to me summarizes this book:
This book is not easy to read as the style of writing is that of someone more accustomed to writing official or academic documents. However, the author more than makes up for that with the urgent and powerful message that she is trying to get across.
Lets hope that her target audience will read this book and give its contents some thought.
Buta bana ditaola, o se ye natso badimong.It translates to:
Teach insights into the secrets of life to your children; you are not to take them with you when you depart to the land of the ancestors.A South African friend gave me this book, saying it gave her hope. At first I was a bit puzzled as to the source of my friend's hope as the most of this book describes what is wrong with the country and who is to blame. It is only in the last few chapters that a slither of hope emerges when she gives some constructive suggestions and examples on how things can be fixed.
This book is not easy to read as the style of writing is that of someone more accustomed to writing official or academic documents. However, the author more than makes up for that with the urgent and powerful message that she is trying to get across.
Lets hope that her target audience will read this book and give its contents some thought.
February 10, 2013
I hope - desperately, passionately - that Mma Ramphele reaches her target audience with this brave and bold conversation. She tells a compelling story of what is needed - attitudes, approaches, and inner values - to counter the darkness that is encroaching on public life in South Africa.
If every up-and-coming young person entering public service, business and politics in South Africa would take her words to heart, I see a new and brightly shining light emerging from the swamp of public misadministration, partisan politics, favouritism and criminal greed that threatens to ruin everything good that has been built in South Africa since the end of Apartheid.
If every up-and-coming young person entering public service, business and politics in South Africa would take her words to heart, I see a new and brightly shining light emerging from the swamp of public misadministration, partisan politics, favouritism and criminal greed that threatens to ruin everything good that has been built in South Africa since the end of Apartheid.
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May 18, 2013I loved the book ! Mamphela has a fundamentally and refreshingly honest view on S A Politics but she not only criticizes the status quo, but offers alternate solutions. I highly recommend this book to be read by ALL South Africans.
October 20, 2013
A thinker,a visionary,an intellect. This Lady deserves a platform to air her views and is possibly S.A's most under appreciated treasures.In this age of populists and promise makers,people need a voice of reason like this one.
January 13, 2013
This is not an easy read but is one of importance to South Africans of all ages - but particularly to the younger generation who will shape our future.
October 17, 2013
Very accurate in pinpointing the state if South Africa today, and very inspirational in terms of the way forward. Very good work...
August 18, 2019
I really enjoyed this book and how much of a practical and authentic life lesson it was for any young African.
January 12, 2023
A very good read, to ignite interest and participation in nation building and development. Living a life of selflessness and contributing to society and growth of the nation.
September 10, 2013
A very precise account of what is wrong with the current administration ( leaves Zuma no place to hide) but also a lot of empowerment for the "youth" in just making them\ us realise what role we can play to change the situation
November 3, 2012
I see this as a significant comment on South Africa today by one of South Africa's great leaders. I am still reading it and it is a good read
December 14, 2012
Awesome
February 23, 2013
This is the sanest vision and call to action imaginable. Dr Ramphele has shown the way. South Africa, you are on notice!
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May 8, 2014Very interesting
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September 5, 2014great book
December 22, 2013
A valuable read for any South African.
September 1, 2014
So DISAPPOINTING!! second book never finished dont know what she is on about?????????
July 10, 2014
An interesting read.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews