My name is Obert, born in Rhodesia just months after World War II ended. I’ve lived through extraordinary challenges under both colonial rule and post-independence Zimbabwe, witnessing firsthand the harsh realities of inequality, discrimination, and resilience.

My book, Lost Inheritance, is a powerful family biography spanning five generations, beginning in the mid-18th century. It traces the rise of the Khumalo Kingdom of Matabeleland, the colonization of Rhodesia, the struggle for independence, and the economic collapse of modern-day Zimbabwe.

The story weaves through the lives of my ancestors, including the Holl family renowned engravers during Queen Victoria’s reign and my grandfather, Harry Patrick Holl, a successful farmer who migrated from England to Rhodesia. It also chronicles the pain and perseverance of my biracial family across two centuries of oppression.

Despite facing systemic racism, I rose to senior roles in both the colonial and post-independence governments and went on to establish one of the first successful non-white-owned accounting firms in Harare.

Lost Inheritance is not just a historical account it’s a story of survival, identity, and triumph over incredible adversity. It has all the elements of a compelling film or series, and I believe it deserves a wider audience.

Published by IngramSpark in December 2021, the book is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other major platforms.