As Women’s Month draws to a close, it is fitting that the University of the Western Cape (UWC) celebrates the remarkable Dr Sindiwe Magona on her 80th birthday.
 

Last year, Dr Magona graduated with her PhD in Creative Writing, adding just another illustrious chapter to her long list of achievements. She is an accomplished author, motivational speaker, academic and senior research fellow at UWC.

Dr Magona celebrated her 80th birthday on 27 August 2023, and said that one of the gifts to herself and her audience is the release of her latest work.

I Write The Yawning Void is a compilation of new and previously published essays that Dr Magona has weaved together in the book. 

An accomplished poet and children’s author, Dr Magona says she was very deliberate when compiling, writing and publishing this latest work. “I've always loved essays, but publishers don’t want essays. They say they don’t sell. That’s why I haven’t written or published essays before,” she says.

“For me an essay feels more honest; it feels like a conversation. I don't have to think about style, who is the protagonist and antagonist, what the issue is and where the high point of the conflict is. You just talk. It's easiest for me to talk because I like talking,” she adds.

As part of celebrating her life and work this year, the Centre for Multilingualism and Diversities Research (CMDR) at UWC hosted a series of events which began in April with an academic conference at Georgia State University. 

In Women’s Month, CMDR hosted a writing workshop where staff, including Dr Magona, worked with Grade 11 learners from Salt River High School.
 

Dr Magona is passionate about literature and inspiring young people with a love for reading and writing.

When reflecting on her past work (some of which is included in her latest book), Dr Magona emphasised that the context of her writing is crucial to keep in mind. “Nobody thought apartheid would die in our lifetime. Yes, there were the anti apartheid struggles, but that was for the future. Nobody alive (back then) thought it would die. We thought maybe in 20 or 100 years. All the systems would die eventually, but not in our lifetime. So I was writing for posterity,” she says.

I Write The Yawning Void was selected as July’s News 24 Book of the Month, and has been included in the Exclusive Books Homebru Campaign 2023.

Dr Magona also received the Mother of the Nation accolade at the 7th Charlotte Maxeke, Bring Her Up Awards 2023. 

[LISTEN] DR MAGONA TALKS ABOUT HOPE