My Journey: Robben Island to Wall Street is a self-narrated memoir by Gaby Magomola, who explores his experiences of the world that shaped the man he is today – a father, husband, grandfather, business pioneer and a mentor to many. This book spans his life from his birth in the minefields of the West Rand, and his childhood in post-World War II apartheid-zealous South Africa. Taking broad lyrical strides across major epochs in the history of his country, Gaby takes us on a journey through the harsh realities of his imprisonment in some of South Africa’s maximum security prisons including the infamous Robben Island.

At sixteen, after the loss of his mother, Gaby dropped out of school to work as a factory hand in Krugersdorp by posing as a Coloured person to escape the legal limitations imposed on Africans. During the 1960s, South Africa was in the grip of various uprisings leading to the Sharpeville massacre. This led to the arrest and incarceration of various leaders and activists of the day, including the young Gaby. He completed his high school education in prison where he had the opportunity to interact with influential struggle stalwarts and extraordinary men like Dr Nelson Mandela.

A wide range of events are aptly captured in this brave book – vivid descriptions of his life as a young man, his involvement in the struggle for the liberation of his country and his adult life as a businessman in the new South Africa. I enjoyed sharing his journey to various places which had shaped his life: from a tiny Bekkersdal township, to Robben Island, then moving on to Mabopane outside Pretoria, followed by a swift relocation over to the United States to carve a brilliant career as a banker and then, thankfully for us, back to Johannesburg.

This true account is a significant contribution to documenting life in Apartheid South Africa. In looking wider than the inside of Robben Island, as one of South Africa's most symbolic centres of incarceration during the dark days of Apartheid, Gaby elevates his personal story to a life-affirming tale of courage and hope for all generations.