A role model is way more than a hero or somebody you idolise. A role model is a person that you admire; somebody who inspires you to be the very best that you can be, because of the example that they set.

A role model is not necessarily the person who is the best at what they do, but is somebody that we recognise as never giving up, and participating or competing in a way that is admirable.

We’ll be chatting with real-life role models on a regular basis and telling you why we think they are good role models. Read their stories and I am sure that you will realise that you too are somebody’s role model. Be proud of that!

Click HERE to read about our first real-life role model.

The Elephant Whisperer - Lawrence Anthony, Graham Spence

When South African conservationist Lawrence Anthony was asked to accept a herd of 'rogue' elephants on his reserve at Thula Thula, his commonsense told him to refuse. But he was the herd's last chance of survival - notorious escape artists, they would all be killed if Lawrence wouldn't take them. He agreed, but before arrangements for the move could be completed the animals broke out again and the matriarch and her baby were shot. The remaining elephants were traumatised and very angry. As soon as they arrived at Thula Thula they started planning their escape...As Lawrence battled to create a bond with the elephants and save them from execution, he came to realise that they had a lot to teach him about love, loyalty and freedom. Set against the background of life on the reserve, with unforgettable characters and exotic wildlife, this is a delightful book that will appeal to animal lovers everywhere.

Aesop's Fables - Beverly Naidoo

A little mouse saves the life of a great lion; hungry Grasshopper, too lazy to store food, gets no mercy from the industrious ants; crafty Jackal tricks Klipspringer to escape death - but is himself tricked by the cock and the dog . . .

Here are sixteen of Aesop's wise, witty and timeless fables, portrayed for the first time in an African setting. Aesop may have been of African origin, inspiring Beverley Naidoo and Piet Grobler to give the animals of Africa the starring roles in this exciting interpretation of one of the world's great classics.