Stories of Black Inventors Across the African Diaspora
By Dr Candice Bailey, Lerato Makate, Sizwe Malinga, Les Owen & Therese Owen
The book tells the unknown stories of the innovation and ingenuity of Africans who are solving African problems for African people.
These stories include heart-rending accounts of African American inventors at the turn of the 20th century who struggled to have their inventions recognised under relentless racism, and, in the modern era, inventors from the African continent who found inspiration and answers to issues faced every day that are particular to their situations.
The book includes exclusive interviews with Dr Marian Croak, a Vice President of Google as well as Mark E Dean who is the co-inventor of the IBM personal computer. And has a foreword written by world cricket legend Michael Holding.
The first surgeon in the world to operate and install a 3D-printed middle-ear implant
One of the most remarkable inventions featured in the book by a South African is by Professor Mashudu Tshifularo; he became the first surgeon in the world to operate and install a 3D-printed middle-ear implant.
With this new development, a CT scan is taken of the middle ear and in a few days a patient-specific prosthesis of 3D middle-ear bones can be inserted, and the patient can hear again immediately. He is humble in his achievements.
I did not do medicine for the money. I did it to heal people and help improve lives. And it is a privilege. I respect my work and do not take it for granted.
Professor Mashudu Tshifularo has these words of encouragement for learners and aspiring innovators: “Adapt or die. Innovate or perish. We black people can solve our own problems, find our own solutions. Africans are innovators. We must not give up…”
About the authors
Dr Candice Bailey is a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of the Witwatersrand under the SA UK Bilateral Chair for Political Theory, looking at issues of democracy, citizenship and participation. She is also a journalist and editor with 22 years of experience. She currently works as the strategic initiative’s editor of The Conversation Africa. She is also on the board of Health-E News.
Lerato Makate is an experienced broadcast content producer and media trainer. She spent 12 years working in commercial, public and community radio. The central objective of her work is to use the radio medium and digital space to tackle social issues using the power of storytelling.
Sizwe Malinga graduated with a BCom degree from the University of Cape Town, majoring in Economics and Finance, in 2021. He was part of the UCT Futures Think Tank and contributed to the book A School Where I Belong.
Les Owen lectured on the MBA programme at the University of Durban Westville for 30 years.
Therese Owen is an entertainment journalist and author. She was the national music writer for Independent Media Group from 2004 to 2014. She was also a regular columnist for the Sunday Independent, Saturday Star, Sunday Tribune, The Star and Daily News Tonight for 20 years.
- PUBLISHER | Staging Post |
- ISBN | 978-1991220721 |
- Recommended Retail Price | R350.00 |
- Classification | Innovation |
For more information | Janine Daniel | J Doubled Publicity | +27 (0)83 327 3393 | mail me |
