Local author Monique Robin Ackers launches powerful memoir on addiction and redemption
Monique Robin Ackers' debut memoir, I Survive to Tell My Story: A Mother's Journey from Drugs to Redemption, reveals her harrowing battle with addiction and the transformative power of faith.
Image: Supplied
Monique Robin Ackers, a valued team member at YesPlay, has released her debut memoir I Survive to Tell My Story: A Mother's Journey from Drugs to Redemption, which chronicles her remarkable journey from the depths of addiction to spiritual redemption.
The book, which launched on April 3, at Exclusive Books in the V&A Waterfront, offers readers an unflinchingly honest account of Ackers' struggles with substance abuse following the devastating loss of her father when he was just 42 years old.
"I never thought I would lose my dad at such an early age," Ackers revealed during a recent interview. "While I don't blame his death for my choices, it triggered a rebellious phase where I turned to drugs to cope with the grief."
What sets Ackers' story apart is not just the candid portrayal of her descent into addiction, but the powerful narrative of recovery that she attributes entirely to her faith. After experiencing a life-threatening heart attack that served as her wake-up call, Ackers embarked on a spiritual journey that ultimately led to her sobriety.
"Rehab's not going to help—you're going to come out of rehab and go do it again," Ackers states with conviction. "Allow God into your life, and He will help you. You don't need to wait for something big to happen."
The memoir also highlights the crucial role that Ackers' mother played in her recovery. Even when doctors were doubtful about her survival, her mother maintained unwavering faith, insisting: "My child's going to make it."
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Ad Loading
In a remarkable testament to the therapeutic power of writing, Ackers penned her entire memoir in a single 12-hour session.
"I wrote my pain empty," she explains. "It helped me so much."
Through her book, Ackers hopes to reach others struggling with addiction. "If I can help just one person, it will mean a lot," she says. "I hope they read my book and realise this is not who they want to be or how they want to live."
I Survive to Tell My Story: A Mother's Journey from Drugs to Redemption is priced at R250 and is now available for purchase at leading book stores.
Tania Johnson, HR Manager at YesPlay, expressed the company's pride in Ackers' achievement:
"We are immensely proud of Monique's courage and determination in sharing her story with the world," says Johnson.
"Her journey from darkness to light is not just personally inspiring but resonates deeply with anyone who has faced seemingly insurmountable challenges. This book stands as a powerful testament to the human spirit. Everyone at YesPlay has been moved by Monique's authenticity and strength, and we believe her message will touch countless lives.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
19-05-2025
- The Citizen
The best reads …. whatever you are looking for!
The best reads …. whatever you are looking for! Whatever you are looking for in a book, Homebru – Your Local – has it all. Exclusive Books' Homebru is a carefully curated collection of 39 trending, unputdownable books – all written by local writers or set on home ground. The campaign 'Your Local Has It All' cheekily reminds customers that not only does their local Exclusive Books store (and we all have a local!) have every kind of book to suit any reading taste, but also, and particularly, a range of local books to suit every kind of reader. Making way for the readers of romance and light fiction that BookTok has brought through our doors, we are excited that books like Jo Watson's The Ex Effect, Kelly L Clarke's Sunshine Kisses and Lindsay Norman's Khaki Fever Have been included. For a fun read, but something a little more substantial, pick up a copy of Paige Nick's The Book People and Tom Eaton's An Act of Murder. A book like Elizabeth Wasserman's Mevrou Smit se reels vir goeie gedrag taps into the cozy crime wave, and Eleanor Baker's Die Vyf Susters, Juliette Mnqeta's If the Dead Could Talk and Hell Run Tobruk, by Justin Fox offer nail-biting page-turning escapism. Tipping the scale of the heavyweights is Penny's Haw's Follow Me to Africa, and of course, Antjie Krog's new book, in English and Afrikaans. Homebru's non-fiction offering is just as meaty and varied. Rich offerings are showcased in business, current affairs, African spirituality, history and psychology, with biography particularly exciting, from Khaya Dlanga honest but funny reflections in Life is like that sometimes, the story of icon Sol Kerzner and Mpoomy Ledwaba's bestselling How Did We Get Here? to fresh and brave personal stories like Tshiamo Modisane's searing autobiog I am Tshiamo, and in a landmark publishing story – Led by Shephard's An Initiate's Memoir by Jeffrey Rakabe. Exclusive Books offers double Fanatics points on all purchases of Homebru books during May. If you are not yet a member, ask your friendly bookseller to sign you up in less than two minutes. A host of Homebru events will be hosted in Exclusive Books stores in the month of May. Visit Events – Exclusive Books Online for more information.
IOL News
16-05-2025
- IOL News
Local author Monique Robin Ackers launches powerful memoir on addiction and redemption
Monique Robin Ackers' debut memoir, I Survive to Tell My Story: A Mother's Journey from Drugs to Redemption, reveals her harrowing battle with addiction and the transformative power of faith. Image: Supplied Monique Robin Ackers, a valued team member at YesPlay, has released her debut memoir I Survive to Tell My Story: A Mother's Journey from Drugs to Redemption, which chronicles her remarkable journey from the depths of addiction to spiritual redemption. The book, which launched on April 3, at Exclusive Books in the V&A Waterfront, offers readers an unflinchingly honest account of Ackers' struggles with substance abuse following the devastating loss of her father when he was just 42 years old. "I never thought I would lose my dad at such an early age," Ackers revealed during a recent interview. "While I don't blame his death for my choices, it triggered a rebellious phase where I turned to drugs to cope with the grief." What sets Ackers' story apart is not just the candid portrayal of her descent into addiction, but the powerful narrative of recovery that she attributes entirely to her faith. After experiencing a life-threatening heart attack that served as her wake-up call, Ackers embarked on a spiritual journey that ultimately led to her sobriety. "Rehab's not going to help—you're going to come out of rehab and go do it again," Ackers states with conviction. "Allow God into your life, and He will help you. You don't need to wait for something big to happen." The memoir also highlights the crucial role that Ackers' mother played in her recovery. Even when doctors were doubtful about her survival, her mother maintained unwavering faith, insisting: "My child's going to make it." Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading In a remarkable testament to the therapeutic power of writing, Ackers penned her entire memoir in a single 12-hour session. "I wrote my pain empty," she explains. "It helped me so much." Through her book, Ackers hopes to reach others struggling with addiction. "If I can help just one person, it will mean a lot," she says. "I hope they read my book and realise this is not who they want to be or how they want to live." I Survive to Tell My Story: A Mother's Journey from Drugs to Redemption is priced at R250 and is now available for purchase at leading book stores. Tania Johnson, HR Manager at YesPlay, expressed the company's pride in Ackers' achievement: "We are immensely proud of Monique's courage and determination in sharing her story with the world," says Johnson. "Her journey from darkness to light is not just personally inspiring but resonates deeply with anyone who has faced seemingly insurmountable challenges. This book stands as a powerful testament to the human spirit. Everyone at YesPlay has been moved by Monique's authenticity and strength, and we believe her message will touch countless lives.
TimesLIVE
12-05-2025
- TimesLIVE
Exclusive Books Homebru 2025 has it all
Whatever authentic Mzansi genre you're looking for, Your Local Has It All By Looking for drama? Romance? Personal development? Business skills? Inspiring people? Whatever you are looking for in a book, Exclusive Books' Homebru 2025 — Your Local Has It All — has you covered. Says Batya Bricker, Exclusive Books GM, Books and Brand: 'The Homebru selection for 2025 is a beautiful combination of every flavour and every taste of South Africa, represented in a carefully curated collection of 36 trending, unputdownable books — all written by local authors or set on home ground. 'Let's face it, local never gets old. Places you know, characters you recognise and the feeling of something you can always come back to. The campaign 'Your Local Has It All' reminds you that not only does your local Exclusive Books (and we all have a local) have every kind of book to suit every kind of reading taste, but also a range of local books that will spark the same fondness that reminds you of home. 'It wasn't long ago that local writing was a small segment of the total and largely international publishing offering on the shelves. With South African writers now turning their pens to everything from celebrity biography to real-life crime, BookTok romance and nail-biting domestic noir thrillers, medi-dramas and business, on-trend self-help and African spirituality, there is nothing you won't find in the 2025 Homebru selection,' says Bricker. 'While you might be all booked up this May, keep your eye out for the always-inviting Homebru events happening across the country. Join us for a range of book signings and for the first time ever, a Homebru Author Market — you won't want to miss the best in local literature! If you are attending an event in store, be sure to check out the vibrant Homebru store displays and bookmarks, and if you're a Fanatics member, expect to earn double discounts on any Homebru books purchased in May! 'As we continue to celebrate the books, people, places and things that bring us all together, let Homebru be a reminder that your local has it all.'
