THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY
Seeing Through the Storm
Leading Through Crisis and Change
"This is not only the story of one woman's rise — it is a clear-eyed look at what it takes to lead with integrity when the stakes are highest."
Print ISBN: 978-1-0492-7051-7
Ebook ISBN: 978-1-0492-7052-4
ABOUT THE BOOK
From Apartheid Activism to Global Leadership
In a nation shaped by division and resistance, Dr. Olive Sono Shisana came of age determined to stand for justice. Raised in a rural South African village during the apartheid years, her activism led to exile and life as a refugee. Despite this, her early trials did not define her limits — but refined her resolve.
Seeing Through the Storm offers a powerful reminder that ethical leadership is possible, and that lasting change is built through courage, conviction, and service. As a public health expert and policy strategist, she helped guide national and international responses to HIV and AIDS, advance maternal and women's health, confront gender-based violence, and contribute to global pandemic strategy during COVID-19.
An apartheid-era segregation sign — the system Dr. Shisana grew up resisting.
PREVIEW
Have a Look Inside
374 pages.
Sixteen chapters.
One extraordinary life.
From a rural village under apartheid to the corridors of global power — sixteen chapters that trace one woman's journey through exile, liberation, and a lifetime of fighting for health and justice.
ADVANCE PRAISE
What Readers Are Saying
"Her journey exemplifies values that are urgently needed in today's uncertain world: leadership grounded in empathy, courage rooted in truth, and a steadfast belief that societies flourish when equity and human dignity are upheld."
"Olive's story is both deeply personal and universally relevant. It speaks to the young person wondering whether their voice can matter... proof that resilience, guided by purpose, can indeed bend the arc of history."
"This inspiring autobiography traces her incredible journey from a humble rural village in South Africa through exile, education, and political activism to becoming a globally recognized leader in public health."
"Dr. Olive Shisana weaves a captivating narrative, intertwining her personal and professional journey. From Bantu education under apartheid to earning a doctorate from Johns Hopkins University… her path reflects brilliance, tenacity, and a lifelong commitment to health equity."
"Having worked with Professor Shisana on the international stage during the pandemic, it was illuminating to better understand the roots of the soft power of this thoughtful and clear-minded woman."
"When reading sister Olive Shisana's life story, what stands out is resilience, love of education, sacrifice for others, and a commitment to building a democratic South Africa."
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Olive Sono Shisana
Dr. Olive Sono Shisana is a public health scientist, policy strategist, and institution-builder with a career spanning four decades across South Africa, the United States, and Switzerland. She has served at the highest levels of government and global health — including as Director-General of South Africa's Department of Health, Executive Director at the WHO, and Special Advisor to the President of South Africa. She is the recipient of the Order of the Baobab.