On Wednesday, a book Ringfence was launched in time to coincide with 16
Days of activism against Women and Children Violence. My conviction tells
would have loved the campaign to run 365/24/7.
According to the author, wealth coach, divorcee and a mother of two Samke
S. Mhlongo, the 400- page book is no memoir but does draw personal
experiences as well as on those of the many women she has formed
friendships with over my lifetime.
“I decided to convert our invisible scars into text and put them in a
400-page love letter to women. I was tired of suffering in silence! I was
tired of being “strong”, and was ready to challenge the systems and
cultures and areas of law that I felt prejudiced me.
It is then that I realised the opposite of strength is not weakness, but
courage. Because strength endures pain, whilst courage revolts against it.
I am done with being strong, and if you are too, then it’s time to be
courageous,” she says courageously.
Ringfence features four, young, courageous but very ‘competitive’ lady
friends (they like things pun intended), Nala, Lolo, Runako and Qhayiya.
They hail from the ‘Mother-City’ Cape Town and now set for bigger
adventures as they traverse from Nairobi (Kenya) to Rome, from Lagos to
Harare and Singapore.
The ‘Belters’ as they’re celebrated according to the author grew up in the
best schools and moving in the Continents’ aristocratic circles, the road
to carving out their ideal life is clear.
But that path is rarely straight, and for the four university friends, the
sharp turn into teenage pregnancy, infidelity and the erosion of love’s
grand illusion delivers blows that would derail most.
Chic and haughty, entitled and oblivious, grow to realise that while flair
is hard work, it doesn’t work hard enough. Nala learns the hard way that a
trust fund is finite, but death isn’t.
Lolo discovers that everyone betrays everyone sometime in life.
Runako realises that the heavier the carats, the harder it is to run, and
Qhayiya finds herself in a world where saints, monsters and bystanders are
the same people.
With sharp wit and the wisdom of hindsight, Ringfence reflects on four
lives that touch the foot of heaven, fall to the depths of hell, and grow
to become women whose hard-earned insights cut right to the heart of
Africa’s elite.
The launch book also partnered with Kuhluka Movement, a non-profit
organisation that advocates for the rights and needs of survivors of
violence whilst providing safe havens for their healing and regeneration.
It is headed by Josina Z. Machel, a daughter to Graca Machel, former First
Lady to both SA and Mozambique.
Jozina, who penned a foreword on the book- related the story of constant
abuse, rape and torture and permanent blindness on her right-eye that has been chronicled
worldwide, did not hold back as she gave blow by blow on what led to the
unfortunate experience to someone she called ‘husband’ or ‘protector’. But
it was not to be.
Attended by ladies and mothers of substance at the chic Westcliff Hotel,
Park town, some of the book proceedings 10% will be donated to the Kuhluka
Movement and also lent support to other GBV survivors.
The book retails for R 245 or contact Kim at kim@rothmedia.co.za. It is
also available for order at ringfenceonline.com
Image (Author Samke S. Mhlongo addressing guests at her book launch at
Westcliff Hotel).
