OP website update: Durban launch

Posted by Openly Positive in News, Whisper not

Happy Durban panelists: Christy-Joy, Anne, Jan, Elaine and Derrick

Four of our short story authors shared the floor, as we launched Whisper not in Durban at our Satellite Session: No more whispers – sharing our own stories of life and love beyond HIV on Wednesday 8 June at the 5th South African AIDS Conference at the International Convention Centre.

Hall 7 buzzed with warmth, support and interest listening to Elaine Maane and Derrick Fine introduce Openly Positive’s story-telling series and the wonderful diversity of our 15 Whisper not authors. OP trustee, Anne Lebethe, who was also representing the South African Police Service at the Conference, spoke warmly about her story, Vida – a toast to life, and the importance of appreciating life with and beyond HIV.

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Jo'burg Launch at Skoobs at Montecasino

Posted by Openly Positive in Whisper not

Johannesburg saw us launch times two. We’d had the praises of recently launched Book Salon Skoobs at Montecasino sung to us by many – so there we went the next morning, Saturday 14th. Wow, what a beautiful bookshop! This event had a much more laid-back feel and attendance was mainly from a more mature group. 

The speakers were the same speakers who spoke at Xarra books and entertainment was provided by Koffi, the resident pianist. He played such great music and some of the pieces included Abdullah Ibrahim's music. This event, like the other three that week, celebrated and toasted life - and this could be heard from the author-speakers right down to the singing and dancing that was done. My highlight was when I was introduced to Mrs Angie Galetta, the widow of one of South Africa's Jazz greats, Mr Hotep Idris Galetta. What an honour to toast life with song and dance like that! Our book distributors were also there to give much valued input and feedback – and we hope, too, that Skoobs will now be the site of many sales!

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Jo'burg Launch at Xarra Books in Newtown

Posted by Openly Positive in Whisper not

Anne Lebethe speaking at the launch.

The first launch in Johannesburg, which followed the Cape Town launch on the 4th May, was held on Friday the 13th of May 2011 at Xarra Books at the Market Theatre precinct in Newtown. But this Friday the 13th was not your Freddie Kruger horror movie but rather an intimate evening of celebration as four of the 15 authors of the Whisper not short stories gathered with family and friends for the launch of the Openly Positive Trust's third publication Whisper Not.

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Maseru, Lesotho Launch

Posted by Andy in Whisper not

Malehloa sharing her story

The launch of Whisper Not, including Malehloa Ntlaloe Kalati’s Getting close and personal with HIV, took place at the Maseru Convention Centre on Tuesday 10 May 2011. The hall where the launch was held has a seating capacity of 100:  however, by the time we started, all the seats were filled and it was standing room only!

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Malawi Launch

Posted by Openly Positive in Whisper not

Derrick Fine, Bhatupe Mhango, Patrick Brenny (UNAIDS), Dr Mary Shawa (Malawian Government spokesperson on Nutrition and HIV) and Rev MacDonald Sembereka (MANERELA+ and endorser of Bhatupe’s story)

Openly Positive’s first launch outside South Africa took place in Lilongwe, Malawi, on Saturday 7 May 2011 when we launched Whisper not and Bhatupe Mhango’s Chichewa story Kufinya mandimu, kukonza chakumwa.

The Maula Room of the Lilongwe Hotel came alive as 150 guests were entertained by a community drama group, a women’s dance ensemble and local poet Q Malewezi in a vibrant event, co-hosted by the Malawi Network of Religious Leaders living with or personally affected by HIV and AIDS (MANERELA+).

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