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In what turned out to be more than just the launch of a book, award-winning former journalist Vanessa Govender poured her heart out last Wednesday evening, when Melville’s favourite bibliophile spot, Love Books, hosted the launch of her harrowing memoir, Beaten But Not Broken, published by Jacana Media.
The event signified a moment of healing not just for Govender, but for friends and former colleagues, who walked the journey with her as she endured an abusive relationship at the hands of a former colleague when she was still on Lotus FM radio.
The launch was MC’ed by good friend and eNCA morning show host Uveka Rangappa.
Govender, through her compelling storytelling, relayed to the audience what it was like to live a double life, one cast in fame and glory and the other hidden away behind the walls of shame and vulnerability at the hands of her abuser.
“This f*#%er must be sorry he ever picked on me,” she said, reclaiming her power, as guests wiped away the tears they shared with her.
For legal reasons she does not name the man with whom she was in a relationship for more than five years, but she drew on the strength and resolve of testimonies and support that were given to her by former colleagues and friends, including that of SABC sports reporter Thabiso Sithole, who could not help but break down after Govender thanked him.
She told the audience how she coped: “Humour was a way of dealing with the pain. They say the loudest people are often the saddest, and that was me.”
Her book, which shines a powerful spotlight on abuse against women, quickly made its way to the top 100 book sales this week.
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