Thabiso Mahlape has revolutionised South African publishing through her brainchild, Blackbird Books.  The award-winning publisher has given birth to many African narratives and allowed her to live out her passion for storytelling. Thabiso Mahlape has pioneered a new direction for publishing in the country which has seen the inclusion of voices and narratives that up until now have not been given a chance to be heard. Being the first black woman to ever own an imprint came with a lot of challenges, but that does not take away the recognition, she has been getting in the industry. And she has been learning the skills of entrepreneurship as she goes.