Anyone who is privileged to hear Melinda Ferguson’s powerful story will come away transformed and inspired. Her talks embrace the principles that enabled her to become clean and sober and carve a highly-successful life as a publisher, author, speaker, writer, and recovery coach. The book she is currently writing is “In search of Joy and Freedom”. She is writing it because right now, the most valuable thing in this life is to be happy and to find joy.

Cape Town-based, this charismatic speaker, award-winning journalist, publisher and best-selling author (‘SMACKED’; ‘HOOKED’ ‘CRASHED’ ‘OSCAR AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN” and “BEING CHRIS HANI’S DAUGHTER”), shares her breath-catching journey from dark addiction to recovery, in a humorous, generous and inspiringly informative way.

A sought-after personality on corporate stages, she has inspired thousands – through the lessons she learned and her honesty – into how she faced whatever curveballs life throws at us and took the steps necessary to start over. Accepting responsibility, clearing the mind of negativity, living in the moment, harnessing discipline and creativity are just a few of the concepts she embraces. “If I can heal myself, even the most broken amongst us can!” – is her mantra.

With over 17 years since she took her last ‘hit and swig’, her insights into transformation are uniquely authentic. From dealing with the devastation of life after drugs to building a new career and identity to becoming impressively business and financially savvy (Melinda is an award-winning publisher and winner of the 2016 Sunday Times Alan Paton Award for “Rape” by Dr Pumla Gqola). Her’s is a story that inspires across the board, from intern to manager, right up to leaders and captains of industry.

As Radio 702’s  former Breakfast Show host John Robbie said: “Melinda Ferguson is a person of rare courage and honesty. You’ve got to hear this woman speak.”