Thando Mgqolozana

Thando Mgqolozana is a South African novelist, curator, and filmmaker. He is the author of A Man Who Is Not a Man (2009), a novel that gained critical success and was long-listed for the International Dublin Literary Award. Mgqolozana also co-wrote The Wound (2018), which was shortlisted for the 90th Academy Award for best screenplay.

Thando Mgqolozana was born in Cape Town. He graduated from the University of Western Cape with a BA in Nursing Education. As a former student leader, Thando earned accolades such as the Henrietta Stockdale Prize and the Golden Key International Honour for his commitment to care philosophy and academic excellence.

His contribution to research development can be seen in the seminal monograph "Nursing in a New Era," which discusses the state of nursing education today, as well as the declining role of the public sector in nursing education.

A Mandela Rhodes Scholar and a recipient of the Golden Key International Honour for Scholastic Achievement, Thando Mgqolozana's impact on academia earned him a spot among the Mail & Guardian’s Top 200 Young South Africans in 2010.

However, his trajectory expanded beyond academia into the literary world. Notable among his literary works is A Man Who Is Not a Man (2009), a novel that received critical acclaim and made the long list for the International Dublin Literary Award. His works include Hear Me Alone (2011) and Unimportance (2014).

In 2016, Thando founded the Abantu Book Festival in Soweto, South Africa, creating a space for black readers and writers. Adapting to challenges posed by the pandemic, he cancelled the 5th Abantu Book Festival and launched The Ultimate Book Show, a television series featured at the 2022 & 2023 Festival de Cannes and broadcast on S3 throughout 2023.

Additionally, Thando has had success in the film industry. The Wound (2018), an Oscar-shortlisted feature film, co-authored with Thando Mgqolozana, also won the SAFTA Golden Horn, Best Achievement in Scriptwriting (Feature Film), and Best Screenplay (Jury Prize) at the Madrid International LGBT Film Festival.

Thando Mgqolozana lives in Cape Town.

Photo. credit: mgqolozana.com