Sindiwe Magona

Born in the Transkei, Sindiwe Magona grew up in the Western Cape and finished high school by correspondence. She later completed a BA through the University of South Africa and went on to graduate with a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Columbia University in New York. She worked for the United Nations for 22 years at its Head Quarters in New York; returned to South Africa when she retired. Magona writes children’s books and novels, biography, poetry, short stories and plays.

Magona is the recipient of numerous awards including the Order of Ikhamanga (2011; was joint winner with Nadine Gordimer of the Imbokodo Award in 2012.
Magona is a PhD Candidate in Writing at UWC, where she is a Senior Research Fellow.