Reviews
Whisper not endorsements
ARCHBISHOP EMERITUS DESMOND TUTU
Nobel Laureate and Patron: Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation
When we first heard about HIV and AIDS, we whispered out of fear. As leaders, we need to talk openly and to learn from each other’s journeys of living with and being deeply affected by HIV. These touching journeys of life and love beyond HIV reflect the rainbow people of Africa. This is the time for us to be united as Africans and citizens of the world to embrace and support all people living with and affected by HIV.
Photograph: Archbishop Tutu with Nombeko Mpongo at the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation youth centre launch in Masiphumelele, July 2010.
DR SYLVIA TAMALE
Ugandan feminist and human rights lawyer
Experiences of life with HIV and AIDS are shattering but also offer enduring lessons. The moving stories in this collection stop us in our tracks, and force us to reflect on the meaning of life, relationships, sharing, priorities and vulnerabilities. They make us better appreciate the simple power of words. Each story reminds us of the rhythm and cycles of living, and of the values of empathy, compassion, listening and being non-judgmental. It is paradoxical that we learn these empowering, inspirational and enriching lessons in the devastating age of HIV and AIDS. Whisper not is a brilliant reminder of the transformational power and magic in the old African tradition of story-telling.
BRETT ANDERSON-TERRY
Executive Director: LifeLab and person living with HIV for 11 years
The short stories in Whisper not highlight the true nature of what it’s like to live with HIV. These heroes have shared their journeys of courage and self-love. It's never easy talking about things that we fear the most, but these inspiring stories show that conquering those fears can be your greatest teacher.
Photograph: Brett celebrates the launch of Umzala with Elaine Maane
MUSA NJOKO
Musician and person living with HIV for 15 years
Across Africa, we have all been touched by HIV and TB. Openly Positive’s stories challenge us to see beyond HIV and to realise that HIV is not only about hopelessness, disaster and pain. These stories echo with living, resilience and victory. These voices call on each one of us to turn our whispers into loud choruses of hope!
Eureka’s individual response after attending our Cape Town Whisper not launch on 4 May 2011:
“I had a beyond positive experience! Listening to some of the authors last night had me very tearful. Tearful because there are so many out there who are desperate to hear this message of positive living, who need to know that HIV is not a death sentence. The message was universal. To live life in the now, to reach for our goals, to seize opportunities, to make things happen for ourselves, to take care of our health, to love fearlessly and of course to reach out and teach others about HIV. I certainly walked out of that launch inspired, blessed, smiling and with faith in abundance!”
Lutz’s response on behalf of the HOKISA Children’s Home after our Cape Town Whisper not launch on 4 May 2011:
“Thank you very much for a special evening. The presentations and readings from your important new book were so encouraging and heart-warming for our HOKISA team and all our teenagers.”
Alex's individual response and as a member of CPUT's HIV/AIDS Unit to our Cape Town Whisper not launch on 4 May 2011:
“I was speechless at the launch of your life-changing book. It was wonderful, let alone the impact it already has on people’s lives. I am proud of all the authors. I am proud of Marius, our Health Promoter and friend to have achieved such a huge milestone. I am proud of my sister Bhatupe with her ordinary yet extraordinary life experience. What you are doing to help other people live a healthy positive life is unimaginable. May you and your team be blessed.”
Review: People’s Post, 3 May 2011:
“Whisper not contains heart-warming first-hand accounts, poems and photographs of and by 15 courageous Africans from South Africa, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Malawi and the DRC. They openly share their journeys of overcoming HIV, AIDS and challenges around love, relationships, poverty and violence. It includes a diverse message of survival and hope from Dutch immigrant and grandfather, Jan de Groot (84), who contracted HIV at the age of 68; mother-of-four and nursing sister, Ann Ray Ray (51), whose marriage survived after her husband’s infidelity; Malehloa Ntlaloe Kalati (46), who also survived TB and cervical cancer; and Zanele Mphikwa (36), who became an HIV treatment advocate after losing her partner, Daisy.”
Article: Lesotho Times Weekender, 12 May 2011: Writer chronicles life with HIV by Lerato Matheka:
A proud mother of two who has been living with HIV for the past 11 years on Tuesday launched her story chronicling her life with the virus. Malehloa Kalati’s Getting close and personal with HIV was published in a book Whisper not, which was launched at Manthabiseng Convention Centre. Kalati told guests of how hard the journey of acceptance has been for her:
“After learning my status, my life became upside down. I did stupid things such as drinking traditional herbs because I was afraid of disclosing my status in case my family would discriminate against me…. I don’t want anyone making the same mistakes I made. I was lucky to survive but ignorance and lack of information about HIV has killed many. This is a journey we are all travelling so we need to unite and fight against HIV and not people living with it. HIV is part of me; we both respect each other because we travel together in this journey of life.”
Article: The Herald, 30 May 2011: How disclosure freed her by Nomahlubi Jordaan
After disclosing her HIV status more than 10 years ago, Port Elizabeth AIDS activist Nomfundo Xotyeni, felt she needed to share her story to inspire others living with the disease. Xotyeni, 41, of Zwide, is one of 15 authors from South Africa and other parts of Africa, who have contributed to a book titled Whisper not. Xotyeni’s story The hero lies in you is about her journey of living with HIV. In her story, Xotyeni also reflects on her sexuality and how society perceives her as an HIV positive lesbian:
“My story is about my background, my upbringing, and my journey with my friend, HIV. I call it my friend because it is how I managed to cope with the disease. I write about my journey and the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS , by train, because I don’t know when my journey is going to come to an end…. Living with HIV changed my life in a positive way. I’ve become an extrovert and am able to talk about my feelings, fears and joys. I also realised I was not living the life I wanted to live. I opened up about my sexuality. I am now a proudly and happily married lesbian.”
