Mazisi Raymond Fakazi Mngoni Kunene was an epic poet who lived in KwaZulu-Natal. Kunene studied at the University of Natal, and won the Bantu Literary Competition Award in 1956. He left South Africa in 1959, taught in Lesotho, and years later gained the distinction of becoming Professor of African Literature and Language at the University of … Read more
Mandla Langa was born in Stanger (now known as KwaDukuza) in 1950, and grew up at KwaMashu. After his arrest for political activism and spending 101 days in prison, he went into exile, first to Botswana in 1976, then to Lesotho, Mozambique, Angola, Zambia, Hungary and the UK. He is the well-known author of five … Read more
Nokugcina Elsie ‘Gcina’ Mhlophe born in Hammersdale in 1959 is a well-known South African freedom fighter, activist, actor, storyteller, poet, playwright, director and author. after completing her matric at in 1979 at Mfundisweni High School. She did a Cadet Journalism course at the Rhodes University, 6 months Film Making Course as part of Interchurch Media … Read more
Mi S’dumo Hlatshwayo (1951) grew up as an “illegitimate” child in a working-class household in Cato Manor, Mkhumbane – a sprawling shack settlement in Durban. His family’s poverty caused him to leave school by Standard 7 and search for a job. As he said all his dreams were sunk: “…I wanted to be a poet, … Read more
Born in Chesterville a black township in Durban in 1936, Lewis Nkosi came from a working class female-headed family and became one of a group of writers from the Cato Manor area. He was educated in various local schools most notably an English medium mission school in Eshowe. After his first job as a labourer, Nkosi became … Read more
Kessie Govender’s (1942 – 2002) family was from Cato Manor. His grandfather Veeraswami Govender came to South Africa from Poolioor in South India as an indentured labourer. On gaining his freedom he bought land in Cato Manor and started a market garden. Govender’s father, Mariemuthoo, was a bricklayer, and when Govender left school at the … Read more