Born in Lusaka Zambia in 1976 to a conservative family. Zukiswa Wanner is a journalist and novelist whom conquered more than she could of imagine she would. Wanner considers herself a feminist as she believes that women are able to overcome any obstacles. As a child, Zukiswa thought that all authors were in fact male, that was until she meat a female writer in Zimbabwe whiles she was a teen. From that point she decided to pursue her dreams as a writer. In 2006 she published her first book, a novel called “The madams” a book considered a comedy of manners. As a result, her career as an author grew rapidly. Now, she is well know all over the world for her non-fiction books “Behind every successful man, Man of the South and London Cape Town“. She is also known for her children’s books “Jama Loves Bananas and Refilwe“.

Zukiswa Wanner is a proud South African award winner of the “twenty in 20 Best Stories in South African Literature and the South African Literary Awards (SALA) 2015“. The fact that South Africa has gone through so much, makes it even more amazing that people like Wanner decided to make a difference in this world. Mostly because her culture does not allow women to do anything independently. A culture where females are viewed mostly as a reproductive machine and not as a professional or business women. South Africans have learned to stand together and fight for what they want despite of all the criticism. Zukiswa success is just one of the many stories that should inspire us to push and fight for what we want to achieve.

In one of her interviews (video above) Wanner talks about the importance of translating her books to different languages. That way her books can be read all over the world. She also express her concerns about the world getting to know the African writers. The main focus of the interview was for people to understand the input and hard work that requires in order to become a great writer in South Africa. Wanner pointed out that publishing the books is hard work but it pays off. Also, she mentioned that reading each others books (among authors) may also help their own writing, while also being supportive of one another. The interviewer asked Zukiswa what was her inspiration behind the “London Capetown Joburg” book which talks about a biracial family. Wanner said that it was actually supposed to be a film, but since it was taking so long she decided to write it. Based on a commentary of an outsider looking into a biracial family. So people can understand the struggle that such family may face just because they broke tradition.

http://www.jamesmurua.com/zukiswa-wanner-unveils-new-covers-for-four-novels/

Zukiwa was also interview by James Murua, an African literary blogger. There she unveils what is next for her as far as publishing new novels. According to James, Wanner announced at a Johannesburg Review Book exclusive that she will publish a concern called Paivapo which will help republish her four novels ” The Madams, Behind Every Successful Man, Men of the South and London Cape Town Joburg” Zukiwa explained that one of her novels “London Capetown Joburg” is in fact about the first truly democratic election that occurred in South African when Nelson Mandela became the first black president of South Africa. The novel won the K Sello Duiker Award.

Cite Word

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zukiswa_Wanner
-https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2020618.The_Madams
-https://sala.org.za/zukiswa-wanner/
-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfbpMboA0qY
-https://www.theguardian.com/books/2012/sep/06/top-african-writers-zukiswa-wanner
-http://www.jamesmurua.com/zukiswa-wanner-unveils-new-covers-for-four-novels/