Book Feature: The Fragile Mental Health of Strong Women by Michelle Kekana

"Babies cry, I rationalise. They are impatient because they have no sense of time." – A quiet, tender moment in Michelle Kekana’s powerful debut novel, The Fragile Mental Health of Strong Women, captures the emotional push-and-pull of motherhood, trauma, and identity. The novel tells the stories of three South African women navigating the pressures of modern life, societal expectations, and internal battles with mental health, all while being held to the label of being “strong.” Kekana lays bare the unseen emotional toll carried by Black women, whose pain is often minimised and healing delayed. Raw, relatable, and deeply introspective, this is a must-read for anyone questioning what strength really looks like. Phemelo is in conversation with author Michelle Kekana about why telling these stories is more urgent than ever.