Renowned Chatsworth psychologist Dr Guru Kistnasamy is set to launch his debut book, The Guru Guide, a 300-page non-fiction compilation of his published articles, aiming to address psychosocial issues and empower people with knowledge and inspiration.
Kistnasamy, 78, of Silverglen in Chatsworth, has written columns for the POST and the Rising Sun for over 10 years, focusing on various psychosocial issues, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, relationship problems, mental health, and gender-based violence (GBV), especially child protection.
Empowering Communities
The book comprises several chapters that delve into these topics, with many based on experiences with patients, and is intended to inspire women who have been victims of GBV and feel disempowered, encouraging them to take control of their lives, as stated on the UNICEF website, which emphasizes the importance of community support in combating GBV.
The Guru Guide will be launched at the uMhlanga Book Fair at the uMhlanga Apart-Hotel on March 22 from 12:30pm to 1:30pm and at the Nelson Mandela Youth Centre in Chatsworth on March 29 at 11am, with the book available for purchase at the launches and on the Made in Durban website.
Future Plans
Kistnasamy also plans to write a fiction book in the future, focusing on issues faced in the community and how characters overcome them, with the goal of inspiring and empowering people, as seen in other notable South African authors who have tackled similar themes, such as Nelson Mandela in his autobiography.
Some of the key topics that will be covered in The Guru Guide include:
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and learning issues
- Relationship problems, such as mother-in-law and daughter-in-law conflicts
- Mental health and gender-based violence (GBV)
- Child protection and community support
