Teddy Warria, a beloved son of the Nile, with his inspiring work and insights into the human condition, is a generous gift from Africa. This poetic and compelling way of storytelling our life and leadership journey beckons us to define our own rich, powerful story of origin – it is soulfully African.
In his engaging and uplifting book A Son of the Nile he demonstrates the African spirit of ubuntu — umuntu, ngumuntu, ngabantu, which translated means “I Am Because We Are”. Gratitude for those that shape us, and a knowingness we are interconnected, the idea of embracing our shared humanity. A powerful reminder in our fragile world today.
Teddy’s creative work and the golden thread of human connection resonates with my upbringing in South Africa, where acknowledging our human interdependence, the humanness of our neighbours, friends, community, and work colleagues is integral to the social fabric of Africa.
As we say in Africa, “it takes a village to raise a child.” But, it also takes a global village, like Teddy’s, to think, act, and lead with courage and excellence. Teddy’s work and story demonstrate the power of how our stories of origin connect us to this extraordinary global village. His “I Am” narrative has defined his leadership story, his quest for each of us to give the world a more human face.
Rich tapestry