Healing broken lives by telling one story at a time

Ladysmith-born Newcastillian, Nduduzo Gumede, put pen to paper, resolving to expose the nature of abuse in 2012.

Three years later, his first book, Secrets of a Woman’s Broken World was born.

Besides taking out time to write the book, Gumede doubles as entrepreneur, philanthropist and legal consultant. He began studying towards a Law Degree at the Walter Sisulu University in the Eastern Cape, which he is now completing through Unisa.

Secrets of a Woman’s Broken World is essentially a diary, relating untold stories of women who have lived and survived lives of abuse.

“Some women just don’t know what to do in abusive situations. By telling these stories, my hope is to inspire women like these to break their silence, to come forward and know that they’re not alone in what they’re going through.”

Gumede drew his inspiration from women around him who have suffered abuse.

“I’ve seen women go through hell and still go on. The way they define the word, strength, inspired me to tell their story,” said Mr Gumede. “Emotional abuse can be worse than physical abuse, and by simply writing these stories has been an emotional process for me.”

Gumede plans to donate a portion of the proceeds from his book towards St Anthony’s Children’s Home in oSizweni, of which he is also a board member. In line with his fight to empower victims of abuse, Gumede envisions opening more centres to provide mental health care and better access to education for children, women and other victims of abuse.

Secrets of a Woman’s Broken World will officially be launched on August 29 at the old Monte Vista casino at 5pm. For more information contact Mr Gumede on: 073 424 0187.