Oral history and written memory combine to tell us who we truly are.
Years ago, I was filming on the banks of Lake Victoria when I met a Luo fisherman. I’ll call him Ochieng. But it was what he showed me about his life that mattered, and it is something I will always remember.
We got chatting, about the fishing for Nile perch and Tilapia and the hard work of maintaining his dugout pirogue. The same type of boat that his ancestors had used, and he was still using in the early years of the 21st century.
He paused for a moment somewhere in our conversation, and drew himself up proudly, standing on the sandy bank of the lake. “This is my heritage,” he told me. And he began to recite his father’s name, his grandfather’s name, his great grandfather’s name . . . and so back 8 generations of his forebears.
hamilton wende
For leaders seeking a powerhouse speaker on high-stakes leadership, Hamilton Wende delivers unforgettable insights on navigating uncertainty and leading teams through crisis.
Based in Johannesburg, this veteran international journalist has spent forty years reporting from the front lines of 17 global conflicts for networks like CNN, the BBC, and National Geographic.
Hamilton translates his unparalleled battlefield experiences into actionable leadership strategies for the corporate world. A multi-year National Press Club Journalist of the Year and Gold Telly Award winner, he is a trusted advisor to multinational corporations, including Nedbank, Bosch, and Transnet, helping executives master crisis communication, narrative branding, and strategic resilience.
A prolific author of nine books and a top-tier keynote speaker, Hamilton blends gripping frontline storytelling with practical business wisdom, showing leaders exactly how to maintain focus, build trust, and drive results when under pressure.
