So many memoirs are filled with
self-justification. In contrast,
the charming story of how
Nthabi Taukobong’s hard-
working parents prepared their
children for success is woven
into one of the most candid
and refreshing entrepreneurial
memoirs you’ll come across.
Taukobong explains in
THE REAL INTERI OR
(Tracey McDonald, R275) how
she managed to become the
African queen of interior
design, but also makes clear
the cost of rocketing to success
too soon and too quickly.
She might have been shy
as a child, but she’s not shy
now to open up about herself.
Here are her opinions on
some key aspects of her life:- Parents: They were both
amazing role models, working
their way up through their
careers and making sure
we got the best education
they could afford. - Opportunity: My parents’
attitudes prepared me for
my first big break: a Rotary
exchange scholarship to
Canada. I had to leave my shy
self at home and learn to face
rooms full of inquisitive and
demanding questioners. - Rollercoaster: I was so proud
that I was lead designer on the
Blue Train at the age of 25, had
created a wonderful showroom
and was decorating
huge hotel and
casino projects. But
burnout made me
realise I needed
more from life. - Luxury: I started
writing to reconcile
myself to my career
journey and realised
that the true luxury
I can offer my
clients and myself
is creating a balance
with the serenity
of nature.
▪
FWSHAPING THE
FUTURE OF
THE FOURTH
INDUSTRIAL
REVOLUTI ON
by Klaus Schwab
(Portfolio, R320)
Schwab’s insights
include those from more than
200 movers and shakers who
frequent the World Economic
Forum, other futurologists and
tech buffs. He also points to
strategies that take the nightmare
out of artificial intelligence
and reshape the role of human
productivity. This will be
“extraordinary”, he believes, but
if well-directed, it can be used to
build more resilient economies
and a more sustainable world.
The book can be dense at times,
but it’s well worth tackling if you
want your family and business
to have a stake in the future.MAKGADIKGADI
PANS by Grahame McLeod
(Struik Nature, R230)
Exploration geologist McLeod
makes this guide to one of
the country’s great natural
landmarks personal, informative
and highly readable.
It includes plenty of geology,
survival tactics of vegetation
and wildlife, and an overview
of the local economy, its
towns and villages. All of this
is complemented by classic
guidebook advice and hints,
making it an invaluable two-in-
one for the curious traveller.My
key
words
Nthabi
taukoboNgLi FestyLe Books
'the Library is inhabited by
spirits that come out oF the
pages at night’ – Isabel allende (1942-)
thREE copiEs of capE, cuRRy
aNd koEsistERs to give away!
to ENtER: SMS the word CURRY, your name, physical address and ID number to 48404.
Each SMS costs R1,50. Free SMSes do not apply. Competition opens on 1 August 2019 and
runs until 31 August 2019. Visit farmersweekly.co.za for full competition details and rules.
Terms and conditions apply.Cape Malay cooking fundis Fatima Sydow and Gadija Sydow
Noordien aren’t just sisters, they are twins, and their book
CAPE, Curry & KoEsistErs (Human & Rousseau, R330)
makes you want to join their magic circle.
It’s partly a walk through their life story from
their childhood on the Cape Flats onwards
and is punctuated by the kind of food they
know and love, and which the world craves.
Rich, aromatic but straightforward to make,
often transforming the cheapest ingredients, this
is where you’ll find the traditional tripe curry
recipe you’ve been waiting for or a malva pudding
to transport you back to your own childhood.
There are also clever twists on well-known
family favourites, such as cottage-pie cupcakes!spotlight
reviews
Farmer’s Weekly’s
book reviewer,
Patricia
McCracken,
is a features and
investigative
journalist.58 farmer’sweekly 2 august 2019