Blind author launches fourth book challenging silence around GBV in churches

Blind author, master’s student, award-winning playwright and TUT FM Presenter is using literature to confront one of South Africa’s most sensitive societal issues, Gender Based Violence (GBV).

Merriam Mogajane (Mother). Mogajane, who hails from Daveyton, officially launched his fourth book, The Untold Story of the Beautiful Church, on Friday, 13 February 2026 at the Tshwane University of Technology’s Student Centre, Soshanguve South campus.

The novel revisits the COVID-19 lockdown period and exposes the hidden realities of abuse within religious spaces. He has built an impressive body of work that includes Sebatakgomo (Sepedi short stories), Mpepumpepu (Sepedi poetry) and Strong Woman, a book that addresses gender-based violence (GBV).

According to him, he was inspired to write The Untold Story of the Beautiful Church because society often views gender-based violence rather narrowly. “People tend to blame only intimate partners but GBV is much broader than that. It also happens in churches and other spaces where people ought to feel safe,” he said.

Calvin Kamogelo Mogajane (Blind Author). He believes that fear and blind loyalty often silence victims within religious institutions. According to Mogajane, the way some pastors are elevated and treated as untouchable figures creates dangerous power imbalances:  “When pastors are worshipped instead of being held accountable, people suffer in silence,” he said.

Through his latest book, he aims to expose wrongdoing and challenge systems that place vulnerable individuals in horrific situations. The novel follows Mbali, whose family seeks refuge in a church during the COVID-19 lockdown. Instead of finding safety, she becomes a victim of coercion by a pastor. When she attempts to report the abuse, her mother, whose reverence for the pastor blinds her to the truth, dismisses her concerns.

In a tragic twist, Mbali mistakenly kills her mother while attempting to confront the pastor. The story highlights the devastating consequences of silence, misplaced loyalty and failed leadership.

Mogajane’s parents (family), Dr Etienne van Wyk, Soshanguve Campus Rector and Executive Dean of the Faculty of ICT, academic leaders, media professionals and creatives attended the launch to support Mogajane’s milestone. MC Keneilwe Molotsi directed the programme, while a message of support and GBV address was delivered by Dr Maria Mnguni. Lesetja Molala, Lecturer in Psycho-Social Education from the Northwest University, also attended the event.

Mogajane thanked Dr van Wyk for supporting his journey, while he also acknowledged TUT for creating an environment that nurtures rather than suppresses his talent.

With The Untold Story of the Beautiful Church, Mogajane once again demonstrates the power of storytelling to bring about social change. His work challenges communities to confront uncomfortable truths and to ensure that faith, leadership and authority are never used to silence the vulnerable.

Concluding the programme, Rebone Molefe, Soshanguve Campus Coordinator, thanked all present followed by closing remarks from Ivy Morulane, Disability Coordinator and a book signing session.

Students and staff who attended book launch. Guests and staff who attended book launch.