Love and Courage: A Story of Insubordination

by Pregs Govender

A reflection on both political and personal power, this memoir from a South African activist ponders the limitations of politics as a tool to create a truly humane democracy. During her years in parliament in the 1990s, Pregs Govender made headlines when she opposed her party's position on arms deals and the AIDS pandemic, and this book offers her insider's look at the battles over these and other issues. At the heart of the discussion, however, are insights about the true source of lasting power, particularly for women, as it reveals that real power cannot be won by wealth, influence, or bullying, but rather from true courage and conviction. Like the writing of Antjie Krog and Mamphela Ramphele, two other outspoken South African feminists, this is an impassioned call for women everywhere to open up the debates, work through many channels, and start speaking truth to power.

261 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2008

About the author

Pregs Govender (birth-name Pregaluxmi), is a feminist activist, writer and author of Love and Courage, A Story of Insubordination. She is widely respected for her contribution to advancing women’s rights in SA and internationally. Pregs initiated SA’s globally influential ‘Women’s Budget’ through Parliament's 1994 budget debates and steered its political impact on the 1999 Budget. In 1994 Pregs co-edited SA’s country report to the Beijing Conference and served on leadership structures that established the national gender machinery and the national empowerment policy framework. She was elected Chair of Parliament’s Women’s Committee (JMCIQLSW) at its inception. During her term, this committee ensured that 80% of its feminist legislative priorities, including the Domestic Violence Act, the Customary Marriages Act, the Child Maintenance Act and changes to labour laws advancing women’s rights in the workplace, were enacted. In 1996, Pregs declined to be the ANC’s woman speaker of parliament’s launch of GEAR, the neo-liberal economic policy, and her pro-choice abortion speech received a standing ovation. Pregs was the only MP from any party, to oppose the arms deal in the Defence Budget Vote. She chaired public hearings on HIV/Aids when government's denial of treatment resulted in numerous deaths. Her report to the ANC Caucus broke its silence on treatment and in the month she resigned as an MP in 2002, Government's turnaround statement included all three of her report's recommendations.

Reviews

[Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story of a woman of intelligence and courage who was called to action in the time and circumstances of apartheid. She acted on her beliefs, and accepted the risks that go along with taking actions that opened new ground and new dimensions to the anti-apartheid movement. This story is for those who wonder how such human beings are forged by their context, and how Pregs, in particular went beyond to claim new and higher ground. She not only struggled tirelessly against the racial oppression of apartheid, but also, with enormous courage, refused to be silenced on the issue of the gender inequality that resided in the shadows of the movement. The story of her creative action born of the dynamic fusion of "love and courage" is worth reading. She was and is an a warrior in the global struggle for human dignity across race and gender. This is a story worth reading.

[Margo Okazawa-rey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring, informative, uplifting, and serious read that shows the inseparability of spirituality and politics. Just finished using for my undergraduate course Feminist International Relations. Students love it! Perfect text to show the relationships among micro-global level of interactions and analyses. The time is right for this book and for feeling Pregs Govender's energy throughout.

[Maya-Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pregs Govender does a remarkable thing with Love and Courage: A Story of Insubordination; she both comforts the reader, while inciting activism and insubordination. Instead of viewing her past as an activist, the difficulties in her life, and the plight of oppressed persons across the planet with a lens that is steeped in bitterness and anger, Pregs shifts the narrative gracefully to one of compassion and strength. The book tells a greater story about the first years of South Africa's democracy, through the actions of one thoughtful and brave Member of Parliament, feminist activist, mother and writer. Pregs opens up to the reader with this piece of work and the result is a comraderie and compassion that is almost tangible, which extends from the book and Pregs herself. I feel prouder than ever to be an 'insubordinate woman' after reading this book.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

A valuable book to read in the context of traveling to South Africa.