Zukiswa Wanner | |
|---|---|
 Wanner discusses anthology New Daughters of Africa in 2020 | |
| Born | 1976 (age 47–48) |
| Nationality | South African |
| Alma mater | Hawaii Pacific University, Honolulu |
| Occupations |
|
| Organization | Afrolit Sans Frontieres Festival |
| Notable work | London Cape Town Joburg (2014) |
| Awards | Africa39; K Sello Duiker Memorial Literary Award |
| Writing career | |
| Period | 2006–present |
| Genre | Fiction, non-fiction, children's books |
| Website | zukiswa-wanner |
Zukiswa Wanner (born 1976) is a South African journalist, novelist and editor born in Zambia and now based in Kenya. Since 2006, when she published her first book, her novels have been shortlisted for awards including the South African Literary Awards (SALA) and the Commonwealth Writers' Prize. In 2015, she won the K Sello Duiker Memorial Literary Award for London Cape Town Joburg (2014).[1] In 2014, Wanner was named on the Africa39 list of 39 Sub-Saharan African writers aged under 40 with potential and talent to define trends in African literature.[2][3]
In 2020, Wanner was awarded the Goethe Medal alongside Ian McEwan and Elvira Espejo Ayca, making Wanner the first African woman to win the award.[4] In March 2024, she returned the medal, depositing it at the German embassy in Nairobi, with her reason for doing so being cited as the German government's role in the ongoing war in Gaza.[5]
- ^ "2015 South African Literary Awards (SALAs) Winners Announced", Books Live, Sunday Times, 9 November 2015.
- ^ "Africa39". Hay Festival.
- ^ Africa39 authors, Hay Festival.
- ^ "First African Woman to Be Awarded the Goethe Medal: Zukiswa Wanner". Literandra. 28 April 2020. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
- ^ Murua, James (4 March 2024). "Zukiswa Wanner Surrenders Germany's Goethe Medal over Gaza Genocide". Writing Africa. Retrieved 5 March 2024.