Faces and Phases of Resilience

In this captivating collection of essays, Tinyiko Maluleke invites his readers on a journey that begins with his eventful boyhood in Soweto and his life-changing upbringing in Limpopo. His heartfelt reflections on the roles of his mother, maternal grandmother and aunts in his childhood will resonate deeply with readers. In the truest sense, this is a 'feminist' book – one that powerfully highlights and celebrates the vital contributions of women to national development.

This memoir traces Maluleke's journey through academia, his rise through the ranks, and the invaluable lessons he learned along the way. Woven into his personal narrative is a broader reflection on the South African experience, inviting readers to reconsider the history of the country – its villages, townships and even their own identities.

Maluleke delivers unflinching analysis of critical issues facing South Africa, blending rigorous scholarship with a masterful command of diverse literary genres and writing styles. More than just a memoir, this book is both a tribute and a testament to the moments, places, and people – both celebrated and unsung – that have shaped his perspective. His incisive profiles of fellow university leaders are particularly compelling.

Faces and Phases of Resilience will make you think, laugh, yell, and cry. More than just a personal memoir, it is the memoir of a country, a historical epoch, and a people – an invitation into the tragedy, beauty and hope that define South Africa.

Forty-nine chapters later, the book closes with a haunting essay on the scourge of xenophobia, culminating in a chillingly titled reflection, 'The Day I Die' – an ironic foretelling of Maluleke's own death – that lingers long after the final page.

A literary treasure trove for seekers of exemplars and of fountains of inspiration. It is an ode to resilience. – DR REUEL J KHOZA

What a feast! – DR JUDY DLAMINI, Chancellor of Wits University

Maluleke has the power and ability to engage a reader's senses … Highly readable … – FRED KHUMALO, Journalist and Author