Sindiwe Magona, an accomplished South African writer, storyteller, speaker, and activist, celebrates turning 80 this year. Through her diverse collection of novels, autobiographies, short stories, poems, children’s books, and essays, Magona has captured the hearts and minds of her readers. Even more impressive, she earned a PhD in creative writing in 2022, an extraordinary achievement for someone who was once a domestic worker. Her latest book, I Write the Yawning Void, is a collection of essays that explores her experiences as a writer in a country still struggling with a violent past and persistent social and economic inequality.
The title of Magona’s latest book is a reference to the unexplored conversations and issues that prevent South Africa from achieving Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s famous “rainbow nation” dream. Magona believes that despite the end of apartheid, real coexistence has yet to occur, and the country continues to avoid addressing the root causes of its problems.
Through her essays, Magona addresses urgent issues like racialism and poverty, which are intertwined and mutually reinforcing. These issues contribute to self-hate, vulnerability, and societal problems like the HIV/AIDS pandemic, teen pregnancy, and paternal orphanhood.
Magona prefers the essay format because it is conversational and flexible, similar to storytelling. It allows her to express her thoughts as if talking to a friend or colleague.
Motivational speeches initially encouraged Magona to write a book. After losing her primary school teaching job, she turned to domestic work to support her three young children. Her experience, coupled with her determination to improve her life through education, led her to participate in group dialogues to ease tensions among South Africans.
It took years for Magona to gain the confidence to write her first book. However, her experiences with people across racial divides helped mold her into a prolific writer. She encourages aspiring writers to trust in their abilities, start writing, and have a plan in mind, despite any hesitations they may have.
Magona acknowledges her initial uncertainty at the start of each writing project. However, she has learned to embrace her gift and recognizes that everyone possesses talents. Her ultimate goal is to help readers navigate life’s challenges more successfully than she did.
Sindiwe Magona’s life and works are an inspiration to the power of resilience, determination, and creativity. Her writing continues to inspire and educate readers, reminding us that it is never too late to pursue our passions and make a difference in the world.
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