Makhanda resident Dr Siki Gwanya-Mdletye has written a book called Healed and Whole: Basic Concepts, Medical Insights and Biblical Truth for Your Mending that has recently been nominated for an Author Academy Award.
Gwanya-Mdletye is a medical practitioner in psychiatry, who also has a very strong belief in God. She believes healing is far from just a physical concept.
“Healing should be a whole body experience; the mind body and spirit,” she said.
In the book, Gwanya-Mdletye unpacks some of the simple steps one can use to help overcome weaknesses through the narration of stories gathered from her own experiences.
“Every time I was invited to speak at an event and share my perspective, I would have people ask me, “Do you have a book?” she said.
“Eventually I decided it was time.” With the help of author Kary Obebrunner, who is also the founder of the annual Author Academy Awards, Gwanya-Mdletye was able to publish her book, after working on it for almost three years.
Losing her beloved aunt, along with her experiences in the medical field as a born-again Christian, are what led her to writing the book.
Gwanya-Mdletye grew up in a Christian home and began her own relationship with God at the age of 13.
“I’ve been journaling for years, so I’ve chosen the lessons I really want to share and put them in this book,” she said.
She acknowledged that finding a balance between science and faith could be tricky, but said it was not impossible.
“In my opinion science is discovering God and is not contradictory to God.
“Everything we learn, everything that science proves to us, just shows us that God is real.
“I want young medical professionals who are struggling with their faith in the field of science to know it is possible to find a balance between your belief in God and medicine.”
The Author Academy Awards are given for literary merit and publishing excellence in the writing and publishing industry.
There are 16 categories, including for science fiction, business, mystery, memoir, young adult and middle-grade children, among others.
Healing and Whole was nominated in the health category, along with titles from 22 other authors.
The public may cast their vote for the Author Academy Awards online at www.authoracademyawards.com