List of South African women writers explained
This is a list of South African women writers, including women writers either from or associated with South Africa.
A
B
- Gabeba Baderoon (born 1969), poet
- Margaret Bakkes (1931–2016)
- Lesley Beake (born 1949), children's author
- Dricky Beukes (1918–1999), writer of novels, short stories and radio dramas
- Lauren Beukes (born 1976), novelist, short story writer, journalist and television scriptwriter
- Audrey Blignault (1916–2008)
- Anna Böeseken (1905–1997), history academic, journalist and writer
- Johanna Brandt (1876–1964)
- Sarah Britten (born 1974), writer and blogger
- Suzy Brokensha (born 1964), writer, journalist, columnist
- Babette Brown (1931–2019), writer on race and diversity issues in the United Kingdom.
- Cheryl Brown (living), professor of education
- Penny Busetto (living), novelist
C
D
E
F
- Dawn Faith (born 1982), author, musician and social activist
- Diana Ferrus (born 1953), poet
- Mary Anne Fitzgerald (born c. 1945), journalist
- Corlia Fourie (born 1944), writer of drama, children's books, short stories and novels
- Lynn Freed (born 1945), novelist, essayist, and writer of short stories
- Patricia Fresen (born 1940)
- Lisa Fugard (living)
- Sheila Meiring Fugard (born 1932), writer of short stories and plays
G
H
- Megan Hall (born 1972), poet
- Joan Hambidge (born 1956), Afrikaans poet, literary theorist and academic
- Stacy Hardy (living), writer, journalist, multimedia artist and theatre practitioner
- Marié Heese (born 1942), novelist and teacher
- Cat Hellisen (born 1977), author of fantasy novels
- Colleen Higgs (born 1962), writer and publisher
- Heidi Holland (1947–2012), journalist and author
- Emma Huismans (born 1947), writer, journalist, and activist
J
- Noni Jabavu (1919–2008), writer and journalist
- Cynthia Jele (living), novelist
- Liesl Jobson (living), poet and musician
- Sarah Johnson (born 1980), poet
- Isabel Jean Jones (died 2008), consumer journalist
- Ingrid Jonker (1933–1965), poet
- Pamela Jooste (living), novelist
- Elsa Joubert (1922–2020), Afrikaans-language novelist
- Irma Joubert (living), novelist
- Leonie Joubert (living), science writer, author and journalist
K
L
M
- Rozena Maart (born 1962)
- Michelle McGrane (born 1974), poet
- Lindiwe Mabuza (1938–2021), poet, academic, journalist, diplomat
- Sindiwe Magona (born 1943)
- Busisiwe Mahlangu (born 1996), poet, playwright, performer
- Angela Makholwa (living), crime fiction writer
- Barbara Masekela (born 1941), poet, educator, activist
- Mohale Mashigo (living), singer-songwriter, novelist and former radio presenter
- Lebogang Mashile (born 1979), actor, writer and performance poet
- Emma Mashinini (1929–2017)
- Kopano Matlwa (born 1985), novelist
- Dalene Matthee (1938–2005), novelist
- Fatima Meer (1928–2010), writer, academic, screenwriter
- Joan Metelerkamp (born 1956), poet
- Nontsizi Mgqwetho (fl. 1920s), poet
- Gcina Mhlope (born 1958), actress, storyteller, poet, playwright, director
- Kirsten Miller (living)
- Ruth Miller (1919–1969), poet
- Sarah Millin (1889–1968)
- Natalia Molebatsi (living), performance poet and cultural worker
- Marion Molteno (born 1944), novelist
- Rose Moss (born 1937), writer of novels, short stories, words for music and non-fiction
- Natasha Mostert (living), author and screenwriter
- Isabella Motadinyane (1963–2003), poet and actor
- Ena Murray (1936–2015)
- Sally-Ann Murray (born 1961)
N
O
- Bree O'Mara (1968–2010), novelist
- Yewande Omotoso (born 1980), novelist, architect and designer
- Margie Orford (born 1964), author of crime fiction, children's fiction, non-fiction and school textbooks
P
Q
R
S
- Arja Salafranca (born 1971), poet
- Lin Sampson (living), journalist
- Riana Scheepers (born 1957), writer of children's books, short fiction and poetry
- Karin Schimke (born 1968)
- Patricia Schonstein (born 1952), novelist, poet, author of children’s books
- Olive Schreiner (1855–1920), novelist, anti-war campaigner
- Judith Sealy (living)
- Jenefer Shute (living), novelist
- Joyce Sikakane (born 1943), journalist and activist
- Ansuyah Ratipul Singh (1917–1978), medical doctor and writer
- Elinor Sisulu (born 1958), writer and activist
- Paula Slier (living), television, radio and print journalist
- Gillian Slovo (born 1952), novelist, playwright and memoirist
- Charlene Leonora Smith (living), journalist and biographer of Nelson Mandela
- Louise Smit (born 1940), writer of children's books
- Pauline Smith (1882–1959), novelist
- Lina Spies (born 1939), poet
- Dianne Stewart (born 1952)
- Wilma Stockenström (born 1933), writer, translator, and actor
- Cynthia Stockley (1873–1936), novelist
- Toni Stuart (born 1983), poet
- Dimakatso Sedite (born 1969), poet
T
U
V
W
X
Z
See also
