Local author amplifies inclusivity for minority groups in higher education with new book  

Kwa-Thema – A local author uses his voice to heighten institutions’ awareness of their inclusivity agendas for minority groups and aspiring African leaders.

Born and raised in Kwa-Thema, Odumeleng Ramatlo (36) has over a decade of experience in senior academic administration roles at institutions like the Henley Business School, the universities of the Witwatersrand and Johannesburg and the Cape

Peninsula University of Technology, where he is a faculty manager.

In his first book, The Gardener in a Suit, Ramatlo seeks to inspire higher education professionals and young leaders while broadening the perspective of those in privileged positions.

“I started writing the book last November 2024 when I realised I could stand as tall as any institution, if not taller. I wrote this book for everyone in the workplace, especially the marginal voices of minorities.

“I wrote it because institutions of higher learning are respectable structures, where power swings in the direction of academics, while administrators have to communicate silently about their pain and disappointment,” he explained.

A pivotal moment in the book’s title comes from a choice between being a gardener or a maid. Ramatlo chose the identity of a gardener – someone who beautifies and nurtures the world – as an apt metaphor for how he transforms experiences into wisdom and growth.

In the book, Ramatlo recounts how his upbringing and early education in Springs shaped his perception of the world around him.

“The narrative explores moments of triumph that shaped my worldview. I also open up about my vulnerabilities, isolation and the pain of being a bullied and misunderstood child, as well as the joy found in moments of love and victory,” he added.

In his spare time, he enjoys reading, writing, mentoring, public speaking, teaching, travelling and philanthropy. The book is available digitally on Amazon, iBooks and Kobo. For a printed copy, email [email protected]

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