Book review 15: Finding Purpose: Lessons From the Message Architect Thami Nkadimeng 

I started following Thami around this time last year. I was drawn to her work because I resonated with what she does and  wanted to learn from her. So, when I discovered that she had written a book, my first instinct was to purchase it immediately.  However, life had other plans and I had to postpone buying it until, as I often say, the book found me. 

Eventually Finding Purpose: Lessons from the Message Architect found me. 

In June, while I was reflecting on my quarterly reading list, I began searching for books to read during my birthday month. I was very intentional about my July selection because birthdays often invite us to reflect on purpose, growth and the journey ahead. That is how Thami’s book found me. 

In all honesty, I was a little nervous about reading it because the word “purpose” carries with it the difficult work of self-reflection. 

Sometimes we are not ready to confront what purpose truly requires of us. Purpose often asks us to let go of the life we imagined for ourselves and to embrace the life unfolding before us. It requires grace–the grace to release our expectations and trust the process of becoming. 

Thami captures this beautifully. 

One of the aspects that stood out most for me was her willingness to revisit her childhood in search of purpose. She describes little Thami as vibrant, confident and flamboyant. As a young girl, she envisioned herself working in film productions, taking centre stage. The world was–and still is–her oyster. 

From an early age, it was evident that the stage would become part of her story. 

Today, she continues to fulfil that calling by standing on stages, facilitating meaningful conversations and inspiring social change. Although her path did not unfold exactly as she imagined, she never lost sight of the dream that she was meant for something greater.

That, for me, is one of the book’s greatest lessons.

Finding Purpose is not a story of perfection. Rather, it is a story of detours, resilience, growth and discovering purpose through life’s unexpected turns. It reminds us that detours are not signs of failure but opportunities for transformation.  

The book encourages us to extend grace to ourselves: the grace to walk away from what no longer serves us, the grace to keep evolving and the grace to trust that our purpose is unfolding, even when we cannot yet see the full picture.

One of my favourite reflections comes when Thami writes:

“We may forget our prayers, but once they are out there, they are out there.”

The conversations we have with God about the desires of our hearts are never wasted. They have already been heard. Often, what remains is not convincing God, but patiently preparing ourselves for the life we are praying for. As we prepare, life has a remarkable way of aligning us with where we are meant to be. 

In Chapter One,  The Irony of Authentic Living Thami writes 

“What is meant to be will be.”

So shall it be. 

Thank you, Thami, for writing such a thoughtful and deeply encouraging book.   

Thank you for reminding me that dreams are valid, purpose is a journey and becoming the person we are meant to be often requires patience, grace and faith. 

I eagerly look forward to Book Two because I have a feeling there is still so much wisdom to share as we navigate our thirties, forties and beyond.  

Book 15 of 2026 

Wholesome read.

Phiwe Mncwabe is a pan-African storyteller, blogger and founder of Botlhale Hub Afrika.

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