Umzala is Elaine Maane’s vibrant life story of growing up in Zambia and living in South Africa told with humour, compassion and courage. Her story breaks the silence of so many women and promotes the visibility of all people living positively with HIV.

Umzala is Elaine Maane’s personal story of shattered dreams in the midst of awesome beauty. The second in an Openly Positive series, Umzala (isiZulu for cousin) is a hearty tribute to the challenges of living positively with HIV told with tears and laughter. Elaine shares the path charted by many women, who have felt like an island at some point in their lives.

From her Zambian roots, Elaine’s story reflects on her life journey as a young mother, who discovers she is living with HIV and then loses her husband. Her journey has taken her through valleys and hills, yet she will touch you with her refreshing insights as she shares her lessons as a single parent, as a lover and as a woman constantly rocked by the loss of loved ones.

Umzala inspires us to rise above seemingly impossible odds and to make our mark. Elaine encourages us to heal, to love and be loved, and to live life fully to the best of our ability. Together with her, we discover that HIV should not be a barrier to reaching our dreams.

In the heat when clouds release showers of rain, there is no greater delight than children's faces as they splash through water. Elaine brings the quality of such sustenance to the hard things of life. She is one of us, battling with our desire to keep our hearts and souls intact as we walk through fire. Elaine's humour, compassion and courage in Umzala will educate society on the prejudice that holds our hearts in chains. -- Pregs Govender, Ex-ANC MP, feminist activist and author of Love and Courage As a mother, Elaine knew that mothers could speak to mothers in another language. Umzala breaks through the harsh stereotypes of women victimised by HIV. Her story of loss and recovery, of strength and personal growth, will help others understand a medical condition that has become part of the fabric of the society in which we live. -- Dr Mitch Besser, Director, mothers2mothers Elaine shares her story of dealing with the stigma of being a black woman living with HIV and managing to bring up her only son single-handedly. Her book shines a light on the realities that women living with HIV and AIDS face in their daily lives. Umzala will also inspire and empower other women living with HIV about how to rise above difficult circumstances and live full, meaningful lives. -- Nomampondo Barnabas, HIV activist and woman living with HIV for 11 years Umzala is a Southern African story by a contemporary African woman. When I think of Elaine, what comes to me immediately are the words - courage, love, resilience, beauty, joy of life, activism. Umzala is a sharing of her life in an open and intimate way. Elaine shows us how to be survivors and not victims. -- Don Edkins, Director, STEPS Southern Africa