Mark Mathabane

Mark Mathabane is a South African author and human rights activist. He was born on October 18, 1960, in Alexandra, a black township in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Mathabane is best known for his memoir Kaffir Boy, published in 1986, which depicts his life growing up in apartheid South Africa. The book provides a vivid and harrowing account of the daily struggles and injustices he faced as a black person under the apartheid system, including poverty, racism, violence, and limited access to education.

Kaffir Boy was an international bestseller and helped to bring attention to the human rights abuses of the apartheid regime. It has been translated into several languages and is still widely read today. Mathabane has also written several other books, including Kaffir Boy in America and Miriam’s Song, which deal with his experiences as an immigrant in the United States and his mother’s life in South Africa, respectively.

Mathabane’s work as a writer and activist has helped to raise awareness about the injustices of apartheid and inspire others to fight for social justice and human rights. He has received numerous awards for his work, including the Carl Sandburg Literary Award and the Christopher Award.