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KR Publishing - Shirley Zinn

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103 pages

English

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Shirley Zinn's story is one of determination, courage, and triumph over incredible adversity. Born and raised on the Cape Flats, Shirley never allowed her past to dictate her future. She proved that the typical story of a girl from the Cape Flats - that of gangsterism, alcoholism and teenage pregnancy - didn't have to be her story. Instead she relentlessly pursued her own goals and forged an impressive academic career even when she faced significant odds. And when she'd done that, she set out to conquer the world of business. Shirley is a formidable woman with an amazing story to tell. She has risen to the top of the pile in both academic and business circles, and yet she has retained great humanity and empathy in the face of great personal tragedy. Her story has lessons for us all - whether we are ordinary or extraordinary, whether we work in business, in government, or at home. Shirley's story will inspire you and show you that it is possible to achieve your goals, if you are prepared to swim upstream and be single-minded in getting where you want to be.

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Lettres et linguistique

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Publié par	KR Publishing
Date de parution	29 février 2016
Nombre de lectures	0
EAN13	9781869226015
Langue	English

Informations légales : prix de location à la page 0,0800€. Cette information est donnée uniquement à titre indicatif conformément à la législation en vigueur.

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SWIMMING UPSTREAM
ENDORSEMENTS

“To say that I was completely captivated by your story is an understatement. It is compelling, authentic, uplifting and very insightful. The experiences and challenges you describe so vividly, being a female in executive management and inside the boardroom, strongly resonated for me. Swimming Upstream is written from the heart and with intelligence. It is a must read for everyone and in particular for women in business or at the start of their career, who will find inspiration, encouragement, excellent guidance and strength in the story and the lessons learned.”
Aletha Ling, Senior Vice President Operations, Emerging Markets Digital, Visa Cape Town

“A testimony to the indomitable human female spirit. A must read for all African women.”
Richard Barrett, author, speaker and Chairman of the Barrett Values Centre.

“One of the most impressive autobiographies in recent years under the catchy title, Swimming Upstream , a riveting account of how a young black woman, called Shirley Zinn, rises from the stifling conditions of the Cape Flats under apartheid to take a doctorate from Harvard and eventually become one of the leading human resources professionals in the country today. What makes this well-written book particularly relevant in the present is that it draws attention to the role of non-material resources in shaping the destiny of disadvantaged youth in circumstances where there was little money and even fewer opportunities.”
Prof Jonathan Jansen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Free State

“A heart-breaking and heart-warming commentary on a life of stress and success. Moving and inspiring and brave.”
Joan Joffe, business leader turned ‘venture catalyst’

“ Swimming Upstream is more than just an autobiography, it’s a must-have national conversation. What differentiates top leaders like Prof Shirley Zinn from others, and is at the very heart of this excellent read, is a conscious understanding that education and learning are tools used to build a destiny and legacy on a foundation of honourable values and sound moral principles. Where these values are vapid and principles skewed, we find success that is either stunted or blighted by self-serving attitudes and behaviours. Where they are straight and true, we find Shirley and a few other rare individuals.

Shirley’s story serves as a guiding light and foundational framework for all future young leaders, and a sounding board and moral compass for established leaders and their teams.”
Gareth Armstrong, Executive Director, future CEOs™

“This is the story of a remarkable South African woman. Having reached the top in her field, from the most meagre of beginnings, she shows us what feminism can be and she makes it clear how important diversity is, in any organisation; how the thoughts and solutions of a diverse group surpass those of any group of like-minded folks. A real bonus for a country like South Africa.”
Eleanor Duckworth, Professor Emerita, Harvard University

“How strong is your inner core? How would you respond when life throws its toughest challenges at you? Some may wallow in self-pity, some may externalise the cause and seek an external refuge, and then there is the rare breed who are galvanised by the experience. Swimming Upstream is the compelling story of Shirley Zinn who took life’s pain, who bounced back and who is still rising.”
Trevor Manuel, former Minister in the Presidency for the National Planning Commission

“ Swimming Upstream is a moving and gripping account of the life shifting, life shaping and life shattering events that define its highly successful author, Shirley Zinn. It’s extremely rare for a person of her prominence, profile and accomplishment to permit such unfettered, unrestricted, open and candid access to her heart, soul and vulnerabilities.

A compelling and captivating read, this book is the infectious story of the author’s immense tenacity, unshakeable resilience and unwavering stubborn will to succeed. It’s the story of her courageous, cathartic and heroic journey through life. It’s her story of overcoming the extremely arduous and seemingly unfair challenges life has thrown her way. It’s her story about swimming upstream and, despite the scars, finding a way to survive.”
Richard Pike, Chief Executive Officer, Adcorp Holdings Limited

“Every now and then a generation casts to the fore a personality who stands firmly as a luminous lamp pole and fountain of inspiration. Shirley Zinn, accomplished academic and unwavering intellect, exemplary and inspirational corporate leader particularly in the crucial field of human resources, is a worthy representative of our generation and what it bequeaths to posterity. I commend and recommend her autobiography as enlightening reading.”
Prof Reuel Khoza, Former Chairman of Nedbank

“Shirley Zinn is an extraordinary individual. Her personal journey is one of remarkable resilience, courage, and inspiration. Her extraordinary educational achievements are a result of her hard work and her continual pursuit of excellence. Her impressive professional career is a record of her outstanding contributions and impact. Swimming Upstream is a must-read for anyone who wants a life of meaning and purpose.”
Esther Benjamin, CEO, Africa Operations, Laureate International Universities and Monash South Africa

“Professor Shirley Zinn’s life and career story is one of triumph over adversity and loss. It will pull every string in your heart and inspire at the same time. Swimming Upstream is a page turner that offers hope for every South African while providing powerful lessons on being an authentic leader in today’s complex world.”
Professor Stella M Nkomo, University of Pretoria

“In her well-written autobiography, Swimming Upstream , Shirley Zinn shares the extraordinary story of her life, where she honestly reflects upon her past and the ways in which she conquered the hardships that she encountered along her journey. Shirley’s passion for sport, education and her dedication to discipline gives readers a personal outlook at the unfolding of her life, whereby she delivers an empowering message of hope. Advocating the indispensable qualities of resilience and determination to overrule circumstance, she inspires the reader to delve into their innermost depths in order to triumph in the face of adversity. Shirley is also an advocate for a cause that is inextricably close to my heart and that is a dire need for men and women to unite over: eradicating the invisible presence of the ‘glass ceiling’ in order to achieve the transcendence of gender parity on every front.

Having profoundly resonated with Shirley’s sentiments regarding the life lessons that are obtained through sport as well as with her tireless devotion to discipline and excellence, it is evident that the message conveyed in Swimming Upstream is universally meaningful and applicable to a diverse audience.

Shirley clearly demonstrates the liberating realisation that a conscious desire to succeed significantly outweighs the dictates of one’s circumstances at birth. I recommend this book to anyone seeking a glittering dose of empowerment, mentorship and above all, inspiration.”
Jenna Clifford – Founder & Director of Jenna Clifford Design Jewellers, Torchbearer to the United Nations Millennium Development Goals 3 Campaign for Gender Equality and Women Empowerment

“The courage, compassion and resilience that took Shirley on her journey from the Cape Flats to corporate leadership were all attributes needed for the part she played in transforming Nedbank into a vision led and valued driven company.”
Tom Boardman, Former Nedbank CEO
SWIMMING UPSTREAM

A story of grit and determination to succeed

by

Shirley Zinn

2016
Copyright © KR Publishing and Shirley Zinn

All reasonable steps have been taken to ensure that the contents of this book do not, directly or indirectly, infringe any existing copyright of any third person and, further, that all quotations or extracts taken from any other publication or work have been appropriately acknowledged and referenced. The publisher, editors and printers take no responsibility for any copyright infringement committed by an author of this work.

Copyright subsists in this work. No part of this work may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the written consent of the publisher or the author.

While the publisher, editors and printers have taken all reasonable steps to ensure the accuracy of the contents of this work, they take no responsibility for any loss or damage suffered by any person as a result of that person relying on the information contained in this work.

First published in 2016

ISBN: 978-1-86922-589-6
eISBN: 978-1-86922-590-2 (PDF eBook)
ISBN: 978-1-86922-601-5 (Epub)
ISBN: 978-1-86922-602-2 (Mobi)

Published by KR Publishing
P O Box 3954
Randburg
2125
Republic of South Africa

Tel: (011) 706-6009
Fax: (011) 706-1127
E-mail: orders@knowres.co.za
Website: www.kr.co.za

Printed and bound: Creda, Eliot Avenue, Epping II, Cape Town, 7460, www.creda.co.za
Typesetting, layout and design: Cia Joubert, cia@knowres.co.za
Cover design: Cia Joubert, cia@knowres.co.za
Cover photograph: Photographic Studio, info@aphotographicaffair.co.za
Editing and proofreading: Mandy Collins, mcollins@icon.co.za
Project management: Cia Joubert, cia@knowres.co.za
Dedication

This book is dedicated to my son, Jamie.
Foreword

Swimming Upstream , a story of grit and determination, is perhaps our post-apartheid affliction: everyone has a story to tell. There is no shortage of books on the market about heroic individuals from both sides of the struggle, such as those who boast without conscience of their feats fighting for the white South African Defence Force and the many black victims (and some white) who recount in bitter detail the hor