‘Soul River’ – 70-year journey
NAVAMONEY Naidoo, 60, author and high school secretary, has penned her life’s journey in her first book, Soul River. The Parlock resident’s autobiography spans several decades.
Soul River is a narrative of Naidoo’s experiences during her younger days in Mariannhill, outside Durban.
Naidoo touches on the great camaraderie experienced in the Mariannhill community, and in particular, her own family who displayed true grit and resilience during tough times. She writes about her parents, affectionately called “Amma” and “Appa” in the book, as stoic individuals who kept the family together with unadulterated love and joy. Naidoo was always inspired by narratives articulated by them from a young age, and that sparked her love for writing.
“Soul River is a story that spans 70 years, from when my father was a little boy. It’s an odyssey. The story touches on indenture, the 1949 riots and the great love of family. It is a story of hope and dreams of a better life,” said Naidoo.
The analogy of the river runs throughout the story like a silken thread. “Rivers are so powerful, they face obstacles, but they find their way to their destination, and so do our souls. As mortals we must face life-changing challenges. Soul River boldly takes the reader through the emotions and realities of loss and life after,” said Naidoo.
The research and writing of the book spanned six years and was cathartic and healing for Naidoo, who had to deal with the death of two loved ones in a short period of time.
Soul River will be launched at the Durban International Book Fair on August 4 at Sibaya. A private book launch will be held on August 13. The book is on sale at Ike’s Bookshop, in Windermere, Berea.