Martha Khoeses’ Whispers to Launch on 27 November, 2025

Writing as Sibila, Namibian writer and JAY Lit Issue 8 guest editor, Martha Sibila Khoeses is set to launch her new title, Whispers: As We Break and Heal, on November 27, 2025. The launch is a ticketed event, taking place at the National Library of Namibia, Windhoek.

Whispers is described as a deeply moving collection of fictional stories that unravel the taboos often hidden behind closed doors in African homes. Through powerful, emotionally raw narratives, this book explores what happens when family secrets are protected more fiercely than the people they harm. Each chapter delves into the quiet struggles many faces but are rarely allowed to voice—rape and abuse covered in silence, misunderstood mental health, neurodivergence dismissed as rebellion, domestic violence ignored for the sake of family image, and dreams buried beneath cultural expectations.

Written in a poetic, soul-stirring style, Whispers shines a light on shame, survival, and the power of speaking truths once forced into hiding. These stories don’t just confront pain—they gently open the door to healing, understanding, and empathy. The book is divided in three sections, Part 1 – The narratives, Part 2 – Discussion Points for Groups, Part 3 – A guided journal. Whispers is perfect for readers who appreciate literary fiction, social realism, and emotional storytelling with a purpose.

In the author’s words:

“Our country is currently going through an unprecedented rise of suicide and most of these cases are related to mental health with underlining root causes of black tax and generational trauma that is still unspoken in many areas of our households. I’m not sure if it is the rise in awareness and self-care but increasingly young people are starting to speak out towards the misinformed and unjust practices that we had going in the name of culture, religion, tradition and such and the pressure on them to find healing or psycho-social support is a challenge. Though there are people working tirelessly in these sectors I wanted to lend my voice the only way I know how, through writing the book.”

The book launch will feature delegates from the Namibian Ministry of Health actively standing in social services and other public entities. The event will not be just about launching a book, but also an open discussion forum that allows the audience to ask the health professionals questions—above all, an effort to bring the services to people. What makes this launch even more different is the fact that the book is interactive as it narrates creative or poetic experiences and also provides types of questions people may need to engage in community forums, and lastly as a guided journal that would prompt the reader to self-assess and seek help. The book is thus translated into French and Portuguese to give a more broader readership access. The author says there are plans to proceed with translations in many African languages as well.

Writing as Sibila, Martha Sibila Khoëses weaves stories that echo the quiet struggles and bold triumphs of the human spirit. A Namibian writer, English Language Lecturer, and Creative Writing Coach, she carries an empath’s heart and a seeker’s mind into every page. Her work—spanning poetry, fantasy, memoir, and romance—traces the threads of change, resistance, pain, and healing. Rather than advocacy, she sees her writing as an invitation: a call to reimagine, to mend, and to reinvent what it means to be human.

The event details are as follows: