Human rights and environmental activist Kumi Naidoo has been touring the country for the launch of his book, titled “Letters to my Mother.”
Naidoo took to social media platforms to introduce his book, which speaks of his trauma and healing after losing his mother at the tender age of 15 to suicide.
It also delves into his background of his life of activism as a child activist and joining the ANC.
Naidoo wants to inspire with his book, to touch the lives of those who fight loudly and silently in making changes in their communities.
Naidoo visited Alliance Française in Portland, Mitchells Plain, last week and his book is being advertised and published via Jacana Media, Exclusive Books.
His next stop will be the University of Johannesburg on Tuesday.
The book was reviewed by Professor of Education at the University of Stellenbosch Jonathan Jansen.
Jansen’s review is seen in the book and reads: “Gripping, challenging and deeply moving. I finished this gift of a book in one sitting.”
And this is exactly what Naidoo hopes to achieve, having an impact and for those who can relate to grief.
“I have a book coming out on November 1, and I want to share this with all of you,” he said.
The subtitle is “The making of a troublemaker”. It is deeply personal and deeply political, he said.
“It deals with unfinished business of my grief and its repercussions following my mother’s suicide when I was just 15. The story of how I became immersed in the struggle against apartheid.
“Documenting my experiences as a young activist, who became involved in the ANC, and eventually forced into exile.
“Although writing the book has ultimately been a cathartic healing process for me, it is clear that four decades on the events depicted here, the struggle for justice in South Africa, also remains absolutely unfinished business.
“For me, the book, is a testament to the courage and resilience of ordinary people, young people and others, who resisted apartheid in their day-to-day lives by working for transformative change in their communities.
“I hope by telling the story, I will help inspire a new generation of South Africans who respond to the urgent social environmental challenges of our own times.
“Learning from the successes, and the failures of the past, and forming solidarity across racial and religious and other divides.
“I also hope that this story will help others who have experienced devastating losses, to learn to live with peace, and to find ways to live with purpose.”
Cheryl Phillips, a child activist who met Naidoo during the 1970s and 1980s, spoke at the launch in Cape Town: “When I read the book, I got to understand him better, when you read the book, I know your mother would have been so proud of your life choices.”
To find out more about the book visit:
jacana.co.za/product/letters-to-my-mother/?fbclid=IwAR3dQmbaxrx2O2caGGmc69ENTWcJ_i3rjY0DKQcj6u8Dkak8kOfPdrYA60c