The Fragile Mental Health of Strong Women

In Michelle Myeko Kekana's exquisitely moving breakout novel, three thoroughly modern South African women find themselves brought to breaking point as they navigate the complexities of life, love and mental health. On a moonless night, Hope, feeling desperate and trapped in her mother's house after years of failed job searching, steps onto the highway, contemplating ending her life. Her failed attempt leads her to Bonga, a kindred spirit who helps her to rediscover her strength amidst the darkness of self-loathing. Meanwhile, Ayanga struggles with the harsh realities of motherhood, battling sleep deprivation and isolation while feeling disconnected from her newborn. As Ayanga's husband Sizwe neglects his responsibilities, the weight of expectation drives her to a desperate act. Zethu enters university with dreams and vaulting ambitions but when her roommate dies by suicide, her world spirals into chaos. Amidst the disarray a new relationship transforms her into a version of herself she no longer recognizes. Bound together by a psychiatrist, Hope, Ayanga and Zethu confront their demons in a deeply relatable book that touches on queer politics, childhood trauma, the stigma of depression and the burden of social media. 0With compelling prose and an unforgettable cast of streetwise characters, The Fragile Mental Health of Strong Women is a poignant gift to those journeying toward self-acceptance. Black women have been labelled strong; their tears seen as indulgent, their suffering expected to have an imminent expiration date. Don't believe that label.

• Publication date: 21 October 2025
• Page count: 216
• Dimensions: Height 235 mm; Width 155 mm; Thickness 15 mm
• Publisher: Jacana Media (Pty) Ltd
• Format: Paperback
• ISBN-13: 9781431435708