The Disruptors: social entrepreneurs reinventing business and society is a riveting read that that demonstrates the power and possibility of transformation and the vibrant energy contained within the South African imagination. This wonderful book will inspire small business owners to commit to engage with a growing movement of citizens motivated to improve South Africa.

Kerryn Krige and Gus Silber are a formidable writing team who will stop you in your tracks! They present The Disruptors, a series of inspirational profiles that demonstrate how business can change the world.

“Disruptors” are people who refuse to accept the status quo. They are not social activists, per se, yet they bring a consciousness and conscientiousness to their world view as entrepreneurs who make change happen in society. They reinvent conventions with fresh expectations and alternative routes to achieve the inherent potential in a situation where others would give up.

This book is a delightful account of how each entrepreneur engages with the people and the environment, how they craft their own life stories, and how they moved through the turning points in their lives. It incorporates evocative observations of colourful characters and their vibrant aliveness. Social entrepreneurship may have an association of pressing need and dire poverty but these stories are tackled in a wild and positive voice.

Each section focuses on a social entrepreneur who is committed to making change to society through their business. These stories are exquisitely told in prose that observes and captures the details of each personality, as well as their business and the human encounters that drive the interactions. The chapters end with practical lessons that focus a lens on the particular value, skill or approach of the entrepreneur concerned.

Stories are those of personal transformation derived from their passion for business, and the hurdles they overcame. In different ways social entrepreneurs navigate the tension between profit and the implementation of the social change they desire. The intriguing tales of how each discovered what makes him or her tick, and then how they came to their particular mission in life make for compelling reading.

Sharanjeet Shan’s story is particularly charming and insightful. It tells of her background and her entry into South Africa, her enormous ambition and the energy that went into conceiving and then achieving what was ultimately possible.  The authors portray her love for mathematics, her courageous (if unpopular) leadership style that transformed a flailing organisation to achieve it’s potential.

The entrepreneurs featured include Ludwick Marishane, Jonathan Liebmann, Thadazile Raletooane, Yusuf Randera-Rees, Dr Garth Japhet, Neil Campher, Pat Pillai, Spark Schools, Gregory Maqoma, Neil Campher, Taddy Blacher, Kovin Naidoo and Claire Reid.

The Disruptors is published by the Gordon Institute of Business Science (@GIBS_SA), and distributed by Bookstorm. Follow Gus Silber (@GusSilber) and Kerryn Krige (@KerrynKrige) on Twitter.