There are moments in life that quietly reshape who we are, even when the world only sees the surface. Behind strength and grace often lies a deeply personal journey of reckoning and renewal. In the Rachel Kolisi memoir Falling Forward, Rachel Kolisi shares her path back to purpose through vulnerability, reflection, and hard-earned growth. It is a story about reclaiming identity, learning to trust your own voice and choosing to move forward even when the ground beneath you has shifted.
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Pan Macmillan South Africa is proud to announce the upcoming publication of Falling Forward, a deeply personal memoir by Rachel Kolisi, written in collaboration with Zibu Sithole.
Releasing in March 2026 to coincide with Rachel’s highly anticipated documentary of the same name, the book invites readers to step beyond the screen and into the private moments that have shaped one of South Africa’s most beloved figures.
Falling Forward is a story of reclaiming identity, voice and courage. In this candid memoir, Rachel traces her journey through childhood, the realities of marriage and motherhood, the pressures of living life in the public eye, and the grounding forces of faith and philanthropy. With honesty and strength, she explores how moments of falling can become catalysts for renewal, purpose and forward momentum.
“There are stories you can tell on camera, and then there are the truths that need the quiet space of a page to be fully understood,” said Rachel Kolisi. “Writing ‘Falling Forward’ was about stepping beyond the public narrative to own my voice completely. This is about the private moments of breaking and rebuilding. My hope is that women reading the book find companionship in its pages and realise that falling isn’t the end – it’s often how we find our way to who we were always meant to be.”
Terry Morris, Managing Director of Pan Macmillan South Africa, said: “Rachel’s story is a deeply personal one that will resonate with many readers. She has faced her challenges with resilience, grit, grace and also the support of many. We are so proud to partner with Rachel in publishing ‘Falling Forward’ and know that the book will bring hope and optimism to many South African readers.”
Attendees of the Falling Forward National Roadshow in Makhanda (4 March) and Gqeberha (5 March) will have the exclusive opportunity to purchase the book before it arrives in general bookstores. The book will be available nationwide and online from mid-March 2026.
About the authors
RACHEL KOLISI is a South African speaker, businesswoman, philanthropist, storyteller and mother. She is deeply committed to social impact and has spent years working to restore dignity, expand access to opportunity and advocate for women and communities facing systemic inequality. Through Rachel’s voice and work, she continues to empower others to rise, rebuild and move forward with intention.
ZIBU SITHOLE is the author of the much-loved ZOLA trilogy of novels, as well as a published ghostwriter and a journalist with more than ten years of experience across print, television and other media.
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