Nakanjani Sibiya
Nakanjani Sibiya (1967 – ) was born at Gcotsheni, Eshowe in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. His place of birth features prominently in his writings and he uses the rhythms and cadences of rural life to portray the drama of these communities. Emerging strongly from his work are a people’s sense of humour, despair, triumph and stubborn determination to survive in spite of many daily hardships and deprivations.
Sibiya has published a number of IsiZulu books across various genres. However, it is in the category of short stories that he has contributed the most to South African literature. To date he has published five volumes of short stories, four dramas and seven anthologies of short stories that he co-authored or edited. His debut collection of short stories titled Ikusasa Eliqhakazile won the JL Dube Award for Prose. This anthology was praised by critics as ‘a milestone in Zulu short story writing.’ One literary critic commented that, ‘One of the reasons for Sibiya’s success is his ability to handle sensitive themes with exceptional dexterity.’
In 2003 he was awarded the M-Net Book Prize for his debut novel Kuxolelwa Abanjani ? In 2004, this novel also received the BW Vilakazi Prize, the most prestigious award for IsiZulu literature. In 2014, he was a first prize winner at the The Maskew Miller Longman Awards for his IsiZulu drama Ngikuthanda ukhona lapho.
Sibiya has a PHD from the University of Zululand and works as an editor for Shuter and Shooter Publishers in Pietermaritzburg.
Bibliography
1988. Ikusasa Eliqhakazile (Short Stories). Gauteng: LZS Publishers.
1993. Amalangabi (Short Stories and Essays). Groenkloof: Actua Press.
1994. Nakanjani! (One-Act Plays). Groenkloof: Actua Press.
1997. Izimbali (Short Stories) Empangeni: Excellentia Publishers.
1997. Shosholoza (One-act Plays). Pietermaritzburg: Shuter and Shooter.
2002. Kuxolelwa Abanjani? (Novel). Pietermaritzburg: Shuter and Shooter.
2003. Kwaze Kwalukhuni! (Radio Drama). Florida Hills: Vivlia Publishers.
2004. Kuhlwa Ngomnyama (Short Stories). Johannesburg: Ravan Press.
2014. Ngikuthanda ukhona lapho. Cape Town: Maskew Miller Longman.