Shafinaaz Hassim is no stranger to writing up a good book and recently launched her latest offering.
Ms Hassim described Darlings of Durban as a celebration of sisterhood and “the ladies who help each become more of who they are”.
Ms Hassim, an author and sociologist grew up in Polokwane, now Pietersburg, and currently lives in Johannesburg. She also lived in Durban, while lecturing sociology at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). Ms Hassim holds a Master of Arts degree in social science and runs an independent publishing company as well.
Speaking about her new book, which she says is a story that characterises Durban, she said: “I’m fascinated by all Durban’s glory and grubbiness.
“Darlings of Durban centres around four female friends who commiserate, celebrate and support each other through life’s ups and downs, often through complex relationships and situations they find themselves in. I had huge fun writing this novel and I hope it shows. I hope that readers truly enjoy this story,” said Ms Hassim.
The story centres around the protagonist Natasha Nana, a successful businesswoman in a relationship with the charming Mr Sizwe who wants to marry her. She’s not sure that marriage is for her. Other characters include Sofia Patel, “the darling”, with her life perfectly set out.
She seems content and gives great advice to her friends. Cousins, Razia Osman and Farhana Sahib have complicated marriages but they find a way to navigate and rise above the challenges. But there is a twist in the tale when a handsome stranger shows up and this is when Ms Nana turns to the “Darlings WhatsApp” group for advice. The women become her lifeline and guide her through the turbulent waters of love.
“I have written much about Johannesburg over the years through my other books. I think a story about Durban has always been brewing in my mind and the idea of a group of women friends holding each other up was inevitable because I’ve nurtured such great friendships over time. We all know how safe friendship spaces can make us thrive. The friends also keep each other going via their Darlings WhatsApp group. So it brings in the social media feel of support and togetherness even when life is hectic,” said Ms Hassim.
Ms Hassim added that Darlings of Durban is different from the other books she has written over the years. She said her books have been very much focused on themes arising from her sociological research over the years, beginning with Daughters are Diamonds.
“I’ve explored themes like domestic violence in my novel SoPhia and human trafficking in The Economics of Love and Happiness. I’ve enjoyed developing those stories, but writing Darlings was purely about the characters and I really enjoyed the creativity of this process. Of course, the power struggles of relationships, the nurturing friendships, responsible use of finances and various themes do come up. But it’s different from anything I’ve done before,” she said.
Darlings of Durban is Ms Hassim’s fifteenth book, which, she said, she started writing in 2007.
“The themes of my books are representative of what I observe in society. I believe a combination of imagination and observance creates opportunities for stories to be written,” she said.
“My intention is to create platforms for reflection and solutions to social issues through my writing and the discussions that come from these stories. I love exploring new characters and developing stories and seeing how it works out.”
Ms Hassim said it takes hard work and patience to hone your craft and turn your passion into a profession – and this goes for almost any profession, she added.
If you want to be a writer read as much as you can and create the discipline to write regularly so you can discover your own voice as a writer, she added.
