The Durban University of Technology (DUT) co-hosted an official book launch in partnership with the publishers of the book, UKZN Press at the Phansi Museum in Glenwood on 2 August 2018.

Professor Monique Marks, Head of the Urban Futures Centre (UFC) at DUT, Dr Kira Erwin and Tamlynn Fleetwood have penned the riveting read called VOICES OF RESILIENCE – A Living History of the Kenneth Gardens Municipal Housing Estate in Durban; which highlights Kenneth Gardens, Durban’s largest low-income municipal housing estate. The book is brought even further to life with the amazing photos captured by Cedric Nunn. The book reflects a unique look into contemporary low-income living in the surrounds of what was under apartheid known as the white middle-class suburbs.

The spirit of Ubuntu, camaraderie and resilience are some of the common threads that are evident in the spectacular book on the living history of Kenneth Gardens. The authors and some of the many resident co-authors shared their voice on their two-year journey of story-telling through this book.

Speaking at the launch was special guest Professor Noor Nieftagodien from the WITS University, who wrote the foreword for the book.

“I am completely overwhelmed, this is such an exciting book which had researchers spend time in the community, co-producing the knowledge they had gathered from the community to highlight the voices of the people. The level of trust comes out very strongly and the commitment of doing research in such a meaningful way,” he said.

He also added that there are very few studies of this kind which stands out in a wonderful, neighbourly community like Kenneth Gardens.

One of the authors, Dr Erwin, added that it was the people that made the book so special and thanked them for allowing her and her co-authors to share and write their stories. One of the oldest residents at Kenneth Gardens, Anne Leon, complimented the authors on a job well done. “Thank you for hearing our voices. Kenneth Gardens is not for sissies. It is for people who have true resilience. Also, the story is also about joining forces with DUT and building a homeopathic clinic, a homework club and a soup kitchen, which all came into existence through UFC,” she said proudly.

Professor Theo Andrew, Executive Dean: Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, spoke more on how the UFC plays such a vital role in embarking on such projects like the Kenneth Gardens which has now also seen many other publications come out from the book as well.

Also excited about the book launch was DUT’s Professor Sibusiso Moyo-DVC: Research, Innovation and Engagement, who said for her reading about a society that has integration was unbelievable. “Also, the book shows there is hope and gives the readers a good snapshot of a community that is so innovative,” she added.

The book costs R420.

Pictured:  Professor Theo Andrew, Anne Leon, Professor Monique Marks, Professor Noor Nieftagodien, Cedric Nunn, Zandile Ntaka, Professor Sibusiso Moyo, Dr Kira Erwin and Tamlynn Fleetwood, at the book launch.

Waheeda Peters