SALT WATER RUNS IN MY VEINS

Book by Prithiraj Dullay to be launched this week.

A book of short stories. Salt Water Runs in My Veins by Prithiraj Dullay (Pritz), will be launched on the DUT campus on May 27.

“Salt Water Runs in My Veins comprises 21 short stories that cover a period of more than 100 years and tell the fascinating stories of growing up in my Paradise on the South Coast, life-altering experiences of my youth, a growing political consciousness as a student in Durban and later as a teacher activist in Port Shepstone, as well as overt and covert activism,” explains Pritz Dullay. “Some of the stories deal with the exile years (1978-1992), its impact on us, our growing consciousness, the Danish anti-apartheid movement and the various international forces that impacted upon our thinking and our lives.

“It also deals with the complexities of our return, leaving behind a wonderful group of fascinating friends and the trauma of returning to a land that our children were forced to leave (with us) as babies of four and two years. Above all, it is a very human story that tells of our insecurities, our searches, our deep fears, our celebrations and discovering that our truth was not the only truth, that there are more ways of seeing beyond just the limits of our socialization. It is also the celebration of the oneness of all humanity.

“The second half of the book is a collection of the 28 columns written for the print media since 2007 and ending 2010. It comprises a series of controversial articles that critically examine post-1994 developments, the joys, the celebrations and the problems that need the forceful intervention of civil society. My views may not be palatable to everyone (in fact, one was followed by harassment and death threats!) but my concerns are the concerns of millions of our people who are disillusioned and even sense a betrayal.”

Salt Water Runs in My Veins will be launched on May 27 at 17h30 for 18h00 in Mansfield Hall DUT Steve Biko Campus in Mansfield Road, Durban. Finger snacks and drinks will be served. The launch price of the book is R100 (thereafter R150 in bookstores).