Whisper not
Whisper not - 15 Africans speak out on life and love beyond HIV
As the third book in Openly Positive’s story-telling series, Whisper not celebrates the lives of 15 proud people from the African continent telling our stories of living positively with and being deeply affected by HIV. We share our personal experiences of love, loss, survival and hope, speaking out to silence the whispers, the gossip and the rumours that often characterise life in the age of HIV.
From the DRC, Malawi, Lesotho, Zimbabwe and South Africa, hear the voices of Nombeko Mpongo, Bonga Melaphi, Bhatupe Mhango, Jan de Groot, Anne Lebethe, Richard Mukuka, Ann Ray Ray, Christo Greyling, Zanele Mphikwa, Jean-Claude Puati Bazola, Nomfundo Xotyeni, Marius Harmsen, Malehloa Ntlaloe Kalati, Mthokozisi Radebe and Christy-Joy Webster.
The diverse range of authors in Whisper not transcends nationality, ethnic origin, language, religion, age, sex, gender and sexual orientation. These stories reflect the capacity of the human spirit to overcome adversity and to embrace the essence of living: to touch you, to get you to laugh and to make you cry – all the things we felt as we wrote our stories.
The voices of our authors portray living with and being affected by HIV as one part of life and love. By no longer whispering about HIV and AIDS, they show you that you can live your life healthily, fully and positively beyond HIV. They encourage you to reflect on your own life as you read the Lessons and questions for discussion at the end of each story. They invite you to write your own story, guided by the From scrap page to story: our writing tips section at the back of Whisper not.
We are also launching alongside Whisper not three of the stories in this collection: Nombeko Mpongo’s Nakanjani in isiXhosa; Bhatupe Mhango’s Kufinya mandimu, kukonza chakumwa in Chichewa; and Jean-Claude Puati Bazola’s La sculpture des temps in French. Click on the covers in the right hand column to discover more about these translated stories…
Our stories, our authors
These are our stories. Click on any of our authors below for more information:
Anyway - Nombeko Mpongo
Author Bio | Story Extract | Lessons & Questions | Watch Interview
Yes, you can live with HIV - Bonga Melaphi
Author Bio | Story Extract | Lessons & Questions | Interview not available
Squeezing lemons, making lemonade - Bhatupe Mhango
Author Bio | Story Extract | Lessons & Questions | Watch Interview
A love story - Jan de Groot
Author Bio | Story Extract | Lessons & Questions | Watch Interview
Vida – a toast to life - Anne Lebethe
Author Bio | Story Extract | Lessons & Questions | Watch Interview
What lies behind my rainbow - Richard Mukuka
Author Bio | Story Extract | Lessons & Questions | Watch Interview
August the 14th - Ann Ray Ray
Author Bio | Story Extract | Lessons & Questions | Watch Interview
For Mia - Christo Greyling
Author Bio | Story Extract | Lessons & Questions | Watch Interview
Going beyond love - Zanele Mphikwa
Author Bio | Story Extract | Lessons & Questions | Watch Interview
Sculptures of time - Jean-Claude Puati Bazola
Author Bio | Story Extract | Lessons & Questions | Watch Interview
The hero lies in you - Nomfundo Xotyeni
Author Bio | Story Extract | Lessons & Questions | Watch Interview
Too lazy to die - Marius Harmsen
Author Bio | Story Extract | Lessons & Questions | Watch Interview
Getting close and personal with HIV - Malehloa Ntaloe Kalati
Author Bio | Story Extract | Lessons & Questions | Watch Interview
Yet I rise - Mthokozisi Radebe
Author Bio | Story Extract | Lessons & Questions | Watch Interview
Time to mix medicine with feelings - Christy-Joy Webster
Author Bio | Story Extract | Lessons & Questions | Watch Interview
Our lessons and questions
Each story in Whisper not ends with a set of learning tools and reader aids:
- Lessons and questions for discussion
- A set of writing tips to help you start writing for yourself
- A glossary of terms, abbreviations and acronyms
- References and useful reading.
The idea is to use the lessons and questions for discussion, together with the positive language guidelines also available on the site, in awareness workshops or in support groups. Topics include dealing with abuse, stigma and relationships, as well as psychological and treatment issues. The writing tips will help you when you start writing for yourself and the glossary will aid understanding, particularly of medical and foreign words, while the references will help with further reading, information and getting help.
Where to buy?
From May 4th onwards, Whisper not is available nationally at a wide range of South African bookstores. Books will also become available at selected bookstores internationally. If you would like to buy Whisper not online, please visit kalahari.net to place your order and your book will be delivered to you.
Whisper not at a glance
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Authors |
Nombeko Mpongo (South Africa), Bonga Melaphi (SA), Bhatupe Mhango (Malawi), Jan de Groot (SA), Anne Lebethe (SA), Richard Mukuka (Zimbabwe), Ann Ray Ray (SA), Christo Greyling (SA), Zanele Mphikwa (SA), Jean-Claude Puati Bazola (Democratic Republic of the Congo – DRC), Nomfundo Xotyeni (SA), Marius Harmsen (SA), Malehloa Ntlaloe Kalati (Lesotho), Mthokozisi Radebe (SA), Christy-Joy Webster (SA) |
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Sub-title |
15 Africans speak out on life and love beyond HIV |
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Language |
English |
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Content |
15 short stories and 15 poems dealing with issues such as personal origins, adolescence, love, relationships, disclosure, coming out, self-discovery, discrimination, acceptance, loss, access to treatment, survival and self-expression |
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Visuals |
64 colour and 152 black-and-white images, including personal photographs, posters, magazine articles and news clippings |
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ISBN number |
978-0-9869998-0-2 |
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Number of pages |
376 |
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Format |
Square (210mm x 210mm) with full colour soft cover, fold-in bookmarker flaps and threadsown |
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Publisher |
The Openly Positive Trust |
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Design |
Designs4development |
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Distribution |
PSD Promotions |
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Availability |
May 2011 |
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Website |
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