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The Book

Book cover of Love and Courage: A Story of Insubordination, book by Pregs Govender, international feminst

Digital version of the Second Edition now available on Amazon Kindle 

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Hard copies available

in SA for R250, contact loveandcourage.books@gmail.com

Book cover of Love and Courage: A Story of Insubordination, book by Pregs Govender, international feminst

First Edition

Second Edition

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 "Pregs Govender’s autobiography is an inspiring and a cautionary narrative about the courage needed to retain ethical and political vision in struggles for individual and social freedom and against all injustice and authoritarianism... Govender’s prose is evocative and often almost lyrical. The narrative voice...makes this work highly inspiring and optimistic."

Desiree Lewis

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Reflections

Ahmed Kathrada    Agnes Khoo-Dzisi    Keorepetse Kgositsile    Desiree Lewis    Graça Machel    Frank Meintjies    Koketso Moetsi    Siphokazi Mthathi    Kumi Naidoo    Gloria Steinem
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Siphokazi

Mthathi

Black and white photo of Siphokazi Mthathi, Executive director of Oxfam SA, Formerly: Treatment Action Campaign

Executive Director: Oxfam SA, Formerly: Treatment Action Campaign (TAC)

“There are very few people who are able to speak of themselves and their lives – the things both mundane and profound, about who they are, with this degree of humility and love.

 

The deep analysis and careful thought about how best to speak the hard truths are an important part of Pregs’s offering. But the most priceless gift to the world is the gift of love, honesty and humility.”

Keorepetse Kgositsile

Black and white photo of Keorepetse Kgositsile, 'Bra Willie', South African National Poet Laureate

"Bra Willie"

1938 - 2018
South African National Poet Laureate

“Pregs Govender’s Love and Courage is, without any doubt in my mind, one of the best books I have ever read. In her admirably lucid prose, her creativity, love and courage emerge and merge to connect her and the reader interested in what it means to be alive.

 

In the process of taking the reader to where and how she has been, she illustrates with clarity how the personal is unarguably political. Read this book to understand why I place it in the ranks of Neruda's memoirs.”

Agnes

Khoo-Dzisi

Black and white photo of Agnes Khoo-Dzisi, Anti-colonial academic, author of Life as the River Flows

Anti-Colonial Academic & Author: Life as the River Flows

"Your words and commitments as expressed in your book move me tremendously. I instinctively know that your story will resonate with many people in Asia.

 

Your perspective is sorely needed for stronger Asia-Africa solidarity that is based on mutual respect and understanding, openness and honesty, rather than on utilitarian economic exchanges or trade relations only."

Koketso

Moeti

Black and white photo of Koketso Moeti, founding executive director of Amandla Mobi

Founding Execeutive

Director: Amandla Mobi

"Pregs Govender helps the reader relate to what are often very abstract issues and concepts.

 

Almost a decade after it was published, Pregs' memoir remains relevant as we continue to face the challenge of working and living in a compromised system – but trying not be compromised ourselves."

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"Love and Courage exemplifies a better way to write about ideological issues (such as socialism, feminism and political economy) for the wider public. By telling a story, and discussing values, principles and vision as they are deployed in events and real-life situations, we give life to concepts and big ideas."

Frank Meintjies

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Celebrating Being Insubordinate 

Black and white photo of poet, Makhosazana Xaba, at the launch of Pregs Govender's book. She smiling, about to speak into a microphone.
Black and white photo of poet, Makhosazana Xaba, and Pregs Govender at the launch of Pregs' book. Makhosazana is smiling at a seated Pregs, who is signing one of her book copies.

"This is the summer of things we can touch...a summer of women in high places making meaning" 

- Makhosazana Xaba at the launch of Love and Courage

Black and white photo of the late Ahmed Kathrada with Pregs Govender, at the launch of Pregs' book. The two are laughing together.
Black and white photo of the late Ahmed Kathrada, at the launch of Pregs Govender's book. He is standing next to a microphone, about to speak.

The late Ahmed Kathrada addressing the book-launch.When Pregs resigned as an MP, Kathrada wrote, "Please continue to make us walk tall by your courage and devotion"

Black and white photo of Elinor Sisulu, at the launch of Pregs Govender's book. She is standing next to a microphone, about to speak.

“A searingly honest memoir by an insubordinate woman who refuses to be silenced – an inspiration to insubordinate sisters everywhere.”

- Elinor Sisulu, Author of Walter and Albertina Sisulu: In our Lifetime

Black and white photo of the late poet, Keorepetse Kgositsile, at the launch of Pregs Govender's book. He is standing next to a microphone and smiling, about to speak.

Keorapetse Kgositsile, 'Bra Willie' reading at the book launch, "This way I salute you"

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Black and white photo of a group of feminists, led by Rajasvini Bhansali, standing with copies of Pregs Govender's book. The event took place in Brazil, with the help of AWID.

Rajasvini 'Vini' and Pamela sharing Love and Courage, A Story of Insubordination with 

movements at AWID, Brazil.

Black and white photo of Rajasvini Bhansali addressing a feminist meeting, reading from a copy of Pregs Govender's book. The event took place in Brazil, with the help of AWID.

Vini reading from Love and Courage, AWID, Brazil

Black and white photo of Rethabile Gamede standing and reading Love and Courage: A Story of Insbordination by Pregs Govender
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Rethabile Gamede alone with Love and Courage

and with the Emthonjeni Book Club with Love and Courage

Cropped black and white photo of the cover of Voice, Power & Soul: Portraits of African Feminists at the AFF

The cover of Voice, Power & Soul: Portraits of African Feminists attending the African Feminist Forum (AFF)

Black and white phot taken at the AFF launch of Love, Courage and Insubordination, African Feminist Forum, Ghana. Pregs Govender stands laughing and smiling with two African feminists.

AFF launch of Love, Courage and Insubordination

African Feminist Forum, Ghana

Pregs sitting with young African women leaders after workshop on love, courage and insubordination at UCT’s Mandela School. The participants stand around Pregs, smiling, some holding copies of Love and Courage.

 Pregs after workshop on love, courage and insubordination with a new generation of women leaders from across the continent at UCT’s Mandela School

Black and white photo of Pregs Govender giving theopening address for UCT's Transfomation Month.

 Pregs inciting love, courage & insubordination at UCT's Transformation Month.

Black and white photo of Pregs Govender on a retreat with feminist activists Ayanda Mvimbi, Dawn Cavanagh, Siphokazi Mthathi and Rukia Cornelius.
Black and white photo of Pregs Govender on a retreat with feminist activists Ayanda Mvimbi, Dawn Cavanagh, Siphokazi Mthathi and Rukia Cornelius.

Pregs on a retreat of love, courage and insubordination with Ayanda Mvimbi, Dawn Cavanagh, Siphokazi Mthathi and Rukia Cornelius.

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