Thirteen inspiring mavericks who’ve made their way to success through trials and tribulations were honoured at the launch of the book’Expert Mavericks’ - in which they are featured.
In the book, they are in conversation with International Laughter & Happiness Professor Shareen Richter, sharing their unique journeys to success. Richter worked in association with the Smile Foundation.
Smile Foundation Advocate Hlubi Mboya said to her a maverick is someone who is a visionary.
“To me a Maverick is someone who is a visionary, someone who creates change in communities, and who creates change in people’s lives. Someone who can impact a few or impact a thousand. I think that these thirteen people who’ve been chosen to write about their journeys and their experience motivate, empower and inspire the rest of us to reach our full potential, that we can also be our own heroes and make that great change, whether it’s through charity, or on a global scale like our icon uTata Madiba,” she added.
Richter said she wrote the book because she wanted to inspire others, as there is so much opportunity in South Africa.
“The purpose of the book is to showcase how incredible South Africans are, how taking ordinary people with a passion and a dream, you can achieve anything and become anything. There is so much opportunity in South Africa and the intention of this book is to inspire others to be the best that they can be, to be a maverick in any area that they choose. Each one of the mavericks is completely different from each other,” she said.
She said she wanted to include a variety of individuals.
“We have Cassper Nyovest, who is a hip-hop artist. We have Craig Wing, who is a futurist who’s worked at Google.We have Janine Hills who is a businesswoman - so the scope is very broad and it really showcases how special we as South Africans are. We always look at the rest of the world and think, ‘Wow, look at them’, but we have giants among us and that’s what this book is about,” she added.
Air Mauritius Regional Manager Carla Da Silva, who is one of the mavericks profiled, said it is rewarding to her to be able tomake a contribution.
“Life is a journey, and it’s all about giving back. It is so rewarding to be able to do something for others, and it’s uplifting. So I joined the mavericks and for me, the fulfilling thing is about giving back and making a difference in other people’s lives, so this is very special,” she said.
To find out more about the Expert Mavericks book, contact Shareen Richter at [email protected]
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