In the run-up to Africa Day, today, 25 May, Jonathan Ball Publishers has been sharing some of the sparkling new books from their 2021 Pan-African list.

We’re calling these Future African Classics – the books you’ll want on your shelves today, and for future generations.

Today, find out more about I Am A Girl From Africa by Elizabeth Nyamayaro.

• See the full list of Future African Classics here!
• Don’t miss a poetry celebration this Africa Day!

When severe draught hit her village in Zimbabwe, Elizabeth, then eight, had no idea that this moment of utter devastation would come to define her life purpose. Unable to move from hunger, she encountered a United Nations aid worker who gave her a bowl of warm porridge and saved her life. This transformative moment inspired Elizabeth to become a humanitarian, and she vowed to dedicate her life to giving back to her community, her continent and the world.

Grounded by the African concept of Ubuntu – ‘I am because we are’ – I Am a Girl From Africa charts Elizabeth’s quest in pursuit of her dream from the small village of Goromonzi to Harare, London and beyond, where she eventually became a Senior Advisor at the United Nations and launched HeForShe, one of the world’s largest global solidarity movements for gender equality. For over two decades, Elizabeth has been instrumental in creating change in communities all around the world; uplifting the lives of others, just as her life was once uplifted. The memoir brings to vivid life one extraordinary woman’s story of persevering through incredible odds and finding her true calling – while delivering an important message of hope and empowerment in a time when we need it most.

‘More than a heart-warming and uplifting memoir, I Am a Girl from Africa is a story of millions of girls around the world – and a true testament of what is possible when girls are given an equal right to quality education. Through Elizabeth’s remarkable story, we are reminded that education remains the closest thing to a silver bullet when it comes to gender equality.’ – Dr Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, United Nations Under-Secretary-General, UN Women

About the author

Elizabeth Nyamayaro is an award-winning humanitarian and former United Nations Senior Advisor on Gender Equality. Born in Zimbabwe, Elizabeth has worked at the forefront of global development for over two decades improving the lives of underserved populations and has held leadership roles at the World Bank, World Health Organization, UNAIDS, and UN Women. I Am a Girl From Africa is her first book.

Categories Africa International Non-fiction

Tags Africa Day Africa Month Elizabeth Nyamayaro Future African Classics I Am a Girl From Africa Jonathan Ball Publishers