A book written by Advocate Vanitha Soraya Gounden titled The Poisoned Chalice will soon be launched by the National Library of South Africa on August 27 as part of Women’s Month.
This empowering story is for all women who face adversity and survive.
“Women endure many evils in family relationships. We build our homes with loyalty and dedication, only to have it torn down by betrayal and envy. We can still be happy and appreciate ourselves,” she said.
This hardworking woman started writing her book in early 2020, not knowing that the opportunity will present itself for her book to be launched by the national library.
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“I saw an advert and took a chance to present my manuscript to the library. They absolutely loved it. I was so amazed that my book will be officially printed and read by thousands of women who suffer from an abused relationship,” she said.
This resident of the Moot, grew up in Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu-Natal, but relocated to Gezina in 2001.
Gounden was married for 34 years where she was in an emotionally abused relationship by her husband.
“I did not believe in divorce, that is why I clung to my marriage, but I knew I needed to stand up for myself and fight for a better life.
“In my book, I share my traumatic story with the hope that in some way or the other, my journey will make a difference in someone’s life. In my book I give women advice as to where they can go to for help,” she said.
“Women go through emotions and no matter how educated, they don’t necessarily know how to deal with it.
“The addendum guides us to exercise and protect our rights in accessing legal aid, the divorce process, children and divorce, dealing with domestic violence and obtaining a protection order.
“It also has valuable information about where to go in seeking help.
“In spite of our good and bad choices, we deserve to be treated with respect and dignity from birth to death,” she said.
Gounden is a former prosecutor and now works as an attorney and mediator.
“It is with gratitude that I applaud the national library who made it possible for my story to be told so that women can find inner strength.”
An excerpt from The Poisoned Chalice
“Father, I once knelt before you piece by piece in dire need to lean on you. I prayed for you to fix me. You didn’t, I was still in pieces, feeling so alone. I decided to fix myself, I am here, today before you, my pieces all together, I made myself stand up again.
“Thank you, Father for giving me what I really needed, the will to cause myself to heal, the courage to stand alone, and the wisdom to know what I never was.
“Amen.”
Should you wish to purchase the book once it has been launched, contact Advocate Gounden on 082 869 1564 or her daughter Sasheera on 066 373 8555.
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