Patient 12A

‘Brave, poetic, brutal, always honest. By leading the reader through his chaotic childhood and immersing us in a mental health treatment centre, Lesedi forces us to confront conversations that are often hard to have. I was moved and challenged.’ – GAVIN WEALE

Winner of the 2025 NIHSS Best Emerging Author award.

A deeply personal memoir of mental health struggles and the journey towards healing.

So here I am, at a psychiatric hospital, looking for myself in a building I’ve never been to before. A few nights ago, I was ready to rid myself of myself. I still am, only, in a different way ...

In Patient 12A, Lesedi Molefi offers a candid and absorbing account of his time spent in a psychiatric clinic in 2016. With vulnerability and introspection, Lesedi reflects on the moments, both big and small, that led him to this point. He explores how childhood experiences can profoundly shape the adults we become and sheds light on the challenges of discussing mental illness within black families.

Through his memoir, Lesedi attempts to filter out the noise in his head and uncover the truth, however uncomfortable it may be. Patient 12A is a powerful testament to the importance of mental health awareness and the courage it takes to confront one's inner struggles. Lesedi's story serves as a beacon of hope for anyone navigating the complex landscape of mental health, reminding us that healing is possible, even in the darkest of times.