Description
At school, James Urdang was a troublemaker who battled to get a passing grade. His most memorable achievement, aside from earning a coveted spot in the rowing First VIII, was driving his BMW down a narrow corridor at speed. But for all his learning challenges, the young James was driven by a dream. Conscious of his place of privilege in a divided society and stirred by the quest for social justice in the face of apartheid, he hoped to start a school to educate, uplift and empower the lives of others. At the dawn of South Africa’s democracy, with the mentorship and support of Walter Sisulu and Nelson Mandela, that dream took root in a non-profit organisation called Education Africa. But this is also a story of the fight to save Education Africa from a hostile takeover attempt, led by executives from a global bank that had once been a trusted benefactor. Told with wit and candour, this is a story about possibility, about what can happen when you believe in something bigger than yourself, and about the power of education to rewrite lives, one lesson and one classroom at a time.
Endorsements
‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.’ — Nelson Mandela
‘…this memoir captures the essence of what it means to lead with heart, to serve with humility, and to believe – truly believe – that every child, no matter where they come from, deserves a fighting chance.’ — Razia Saleh, Nelson Mandela Foundation