The Book Within Context

Colonialism is gone. Apartheid is gone.  However, their legacies remain, and the belief that ‘we’ are inferior still dictates our thinking. A consequence of this belief is that we doubt our abilities. We doubt that we can become scientists, businessmen and entrepreneurs.

We Were Always Here sets the record straight and change mindsets and futures.

So How Do We Change

The issue is how do we change this mindset.  How do we make all people, especially black people – specifically the youth, realise that we are competent, but not just that, that we have potential beyond what we can imagine? That we can achieve whatever we want to achieve. 

One way is to provide concrete real examples of people who look like us and think like us, who have made a success of their lives, through invention and entrepreneurship. There are thousands of examples (some of which are found in our book).

From laser surgery for removing cataracts , to cameras used in space travel and even clear telephone connections, these examples show that when you don’t limit yourself, or let others (or situations) limit you, you can achieve great things. Indeed, many of these inventors had low level formal schooling. Some were even slaves or children of slaves. Despite their poor and tough backgrounds, they had the strength, the resilience, the courage and the ingenuity to become inventors and entrepreneurs.

So, this is about much more than a book then. It’s about inspiring young black boys and girlsand showing them that we are valuable members of society, that we can achieve and improve the quality of their lives. 

The black inventors and entrepreneurs in this book are role models, examples and inspiration for a generation of young people.  If Garrett Morgan could invent the gas mark, if George Carruthers can make a camera to use in space, if Professor Mashudu Tshifularo can invent a way that a deaf person can hear, then I can dream big and realize that dream too. 

Conclusion

Every young black person should read the stories in this book, as they will inspire them to reach for the stars. To understand that they can do incredible things and shape the world. To help them believe in their own potential, as inventors, thought leaders, entrepreneurs and pioneers.