Book review: Awakened to my true self by Nonkululeko Gobodo

Let me start by saying if you have not read Awakened, purchase this read right now. Don’t hesitate, you need this book and I mean well. Whatever you do, don’t let 2024 pass by without you reading Awakened. Now since I got that bit of information out of my chest. I think it’s safe to say that I bring you yet another book review. African literature my love and joy is always my first pick. For those of you who are new here, aside from writing about my first love, Africa. I also share my second love, reading and writing. 

I share my book reviews with the intention of persuading the online community to read more, especially African literature. I write these book reviews to also develop a reading culture and raise awareness of issues impacting Africans through reading material. This month a beautiful book by a powerhouse found me when I needed it the most. I believe Mama Nonkululeko Gobodo’s book indeed found me and gave me the affirmation that I needed. 

Yes, books do affirm us as well, books intentionally written to awaken the soul do so. As with Awakened,  a book not only written to awaken the human race. However, it reminds us of the importance of being yourself authentically in a world that tells you who you should be. Before I get into my analysis of Mama Nonkululeko’s book. Let me first acknowledge and honour her accomplishments. Her accomplishments matter to me because as a young African woman who understands South Africa’s history and the past injustices. Mama Nonkululeko’s victories are a beacon of hope that we needed and still do. 

Mama Gobodo’s accomplishments paved a way for many young Africans across the continent. Her life reflects that even in adversity your dreams and goals matter. Her life is evident that we are not our circumstances, nor are we what the world tells us to be. We are who we want to be and created to fulfill a greater purpose. Our duty is to be on a quest to discover our purpose, when found to do it well. This does not mean that we will not encounter any challenges. This means that we stand firm because we understand once the vision is birthed many lives are touched. 

Nonkululeko Gobodo is the first black woman to qualify as a Chartered Accountant in South Africa. The CEO of Awakened Global. Mama is a renowned businesswoman, entrepreneur and business leader. The founder member and former chairman of SizweNtsalubaGobodo now SNG Grant Thornton. She is also a mother, grandmother and woman of faith.

I have always been inspired by Mama Gobodo. However, engaging with her written work has been a blessing in my life. Her story is one of the reasons I believe in the power of storytelling being used to shape our minds as Africans. Her story is not only authentic it is very relatable. It is authentic in a sense that she is not only an African like myself. It is authentic because she was brought up in an era where black people had no place in society. Relatable that although under the apartheid government she sought to fulfill her purpose in the very South Africa that was not welcoming to her.

In the midst of every unpleasant encounter she shares very powerful lessons of the importance of discovering who you are and finding your purpose. Her will to interrogate her true self unlocked her purpose. Mama Gobodo’s accountability to herself enabled her to fulfill her purpose. In her book two chapters immensely moved me. I would have loved to review every chapter. But, I am of the view that it’s important that you purchase her book for you to experience an encounter with destiny. 

The chapter is titled ‘’my wilderness years’’. Cry with me if you must when you encounter this chapter. Meditate on this chapter and don’t rush when you read it. The wilderness years are often described as the years where everything falls apart. Nothing seems to make sense and you feel very helpless. These years are often painted out to be the worst time of your life because you have to bear the brunt of life’s consequences. The ‘’should have or could have years’’. The regrets and the losses. These years are years that we isolate ourselves and shy away from speaking about.  

Not mama Nonkululeko, these years she shared how they made her who she was. Her wilderness years were spent on confronting her traumas and shaping her personality. She spent time interrogating who she was in the place of work, family and social setting. Mama self-evaluated her triggers and confronted her personality traits that she found unpleasant. She found peace in embracing her flaws and letting go of traits she found to be holding her back from being a better person. With her self-introspection she not only developed as an individual however became an amazing business leader, mom and member of society. 

With that said, it shows her humility and respect for herself. Her wilderness years were a time for her to reinvent herself to become the Nonkululeko Gobodo that she is today. This chapter moved me because wilderness years are often looked down upon. Whenever we refer to success we focus so much on the ups and this makes it highly impossible to believe that the downs do exist. I found comfort in this chapter because it affirmed me and the struggles I face as a young African in Africa.

The chapter on economic transformation requires an open mind and open heart when being read. This is because Mama Nonkululeko is addressing Africans at the core and calling forth for change. However, the critical point of reference being the need to redress the psychological trauma birthed by colonialism. Now, more than ever is the time to have honest conversations about the wounds that the apartheid policy left on our black people. It is redressing that more Africans must be economically liberated and experience transformation. It is high time that we take accountability that although we have wounds to show. We need to heal, unlearn and relearn better ways of living freely. Mama in this chapter basically emphasises that for us to truly walk freely in our healing is for us to fully embrace who we are as Africans. We are a people of purpose. We are unique and authentic. We are not defined by exclusion because if we were SNG Grant Thornton would not exist. 

We have the power to liberate ourselves. We have the power to find the solutions that we desire to see in our communities. The conversation of change begins with us. We also need to be courageous enough to take the first bold step and have faith. She said ‘’there is always synchronicity and grace when we have the courage to step out and are willing to take risks to follow our dreams’’. 

As for me, I leave it here for you to read the rest of the book. 

Thank you so much Mama Nonkululeko for your life and living up to your name. You were sent indeed to liberate Africans and we need to continue liberating others. You matter and your life has been an inspiration to many. 

I am not affiliated to any political party. I am affiliated to the Africans. 

The views that  I share are mine and not affiliated to any employer. These views are not meant to bring harm.

Let’s talk about Africa. Which African country should I visit next? 

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