041Book Columnist LAUREN HEWITT attended Nozibele Mayaba’s book launch at Exclusive Books in Gqeberha recently. Here’s her account of the inspiring event and the powerful story behind “Positively Me.”
If you’re a reader in Port Elizabeth, you know that book launches seldom happen here. So when I saw that local author Nozibele Mayaba, who grew up in Port Elizabeth, was having a book launch at Exclusive Books, I quickly booked my ticket. Tickets for book launches at Exclusive Books are usually free unless stated otherwise. At the time of writing this article, her book is the No. 1 Bestselling Book on the South African chart. Nozibele Mayaba’s brand-new book, “Positively Me,” is about her journey as an HIV activist.
Born in Qgeberha in the 1990s, popular AIDS activist Nozibele Mayaba’s upbringing was one of struggle and strife. Raised by the tough hand of her mother in a strict Christian household, Nozibele strove to be the “good girl” to win her mother’s approval and the affection of her absent father. She lived by the book and was steered by her faith. Hers became a life of firsts: the first person in her family to travel overseas, the first to graduate from university, and, unfortunately, her first love, with his infectious smile, infected her with HIV.
This diagnosis threw her life into disarray. Fearing stigma and feeling the need to maintain her “good girl” image, she kept her status a secret. However, she soon succumbed to depression. In the aftermath, when she picked up the broken pieces of her life, she found purpose in all the pain she had endured. She went public with her story in a video that went viral, launching her onto a new path. Nozibele, who has since gotten married and recently become a mother, has made it her mission to hold open conversations about her journey living with HIV.
Told with gut-wrenching honesty, Nozibele is at her most vulnerable in this brave account of what it means to live and love beyond HIV.
The event itself was incredible, with the turnout exceeding Exclusive Books’ expectations, so much so that the event was moved to the mall conference centre. When Nozibele entered the venue, the audience rose to their feet, greeting her with song and dance. The welcoming and moving vibe that swept through the venue gave me instant goosebumps. Witnessing an author receive such a heartfelt response was an unforgettable experience.
“Positively Me” can be found at all major bookstores and online.
Written by Nozibele Mayaba and Sue Nyathi Published by Jonathan Ball Publishers
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