In a moving tribute to faith, healing and resilience, Prindha Govender, a respected high school teacher from Malvern, has officially launched her debut book titled ‘Hanging onto the Coat Tails of Jesus’.
The publication marks a deeply personal milestone in Govender’s life – a journey through the shadows of mental illness towards renewed hope and strength.
At 53, Govender is a familiar face in local education circles, currently teaching drama, creative arts and English at Woodhurst Secondary School. While known for her creativity and dedication in the classroom, few may have been aware of the private struggle she endured for nearly a decade.
“I had been dealing with depression and anxiety for over ten years, but I was only formally diagnosed in 2022. My symptoms began around 2016 – mood changes, withdrawal from family, negative thoughts – but I didn’t understand what was happening to me. It was only after a full mental breakdown in 2022, and a second one at the end of 2023, that I sought medical help and began a long, painful journey back to myself.
A turning point came when I turned to prayer and found strength through my Christian faith. As I leaned into God, the fog started to lift. With the right medication and therapy, along with constant prayer, I was slowly able to function again,” she said.
The book, ‘Hanging onto the Coat Tails of Jesus’, began as a private journal – an emotional outlet to process her struggles. Over time, it evolved into a full manuscript spanning three genres: autobiography, religion and motivation.
Govender completed the book in late 2024 despite significant setbacks, including the death of her mother in August last year.
In February this year, she found her publisher, Urban Publishing, and worked closely with editor and close friend, Rita Shivanand, to finalise the manuscript. By March, the book was submitted, and her dream became a reality.
She said: “This book is a testimony to how Jesus brought me through the darkest days of my life. It’s a reminder that healing is possible. Through my story, I hope to raise awareness and understanding of mental health, especially depression and anxiety, and to offer hope to others who may be suffering in silence.
“I want readers to know they are not alone. Seek help from professionals, lean into your faith, and know that recovery is possible. I also urge the community to show greater compassion and less judgement towards those battling mental illness. We wouldn’t judge someone with cancer or heart disease, so why do we treat mental health differently?”
Govender expressed her gratitude to Jesus, her psychiatrist, her late mother and her family for their unwavering love and support, and for rallying around her during her darkest times – something for which she says she will forever be grateful.
