Difference between revisions of "Lewis Nkosi"

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(1936-) Essayist, critic and dramatist. Studied at Adams College, began work at Ilanga Lase Natal, then moved on to Drum and Post magazines. Studied journalism at Harvard University (1960-61) then went into exile in London. His works were for a while banned in South Africa under the [[Suppression of Communism Act]]. He was one of the collaborators in the workshop led by [[Athol Fugard]] to create ''[[No Good Friday]]'' (1958). Nkosi later wrote and published his own play, ''[[The Rhythm of Violence]]'' (1964). His essays and articles are contained in a collection entitled ''[[Home and Exile]]'' (1965).  A friend of [[Athol Fugard]]’s , he played “Father Higgins” in the the first production of ''[[No-Good Friday]]'' before an all-white audience in Johannesburg in 1958.  
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'''Lewis Nkosi''' (1936-2010). Essayist, critic and dramatist.  
  
Return to [[ESAT Personalities N]]
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== Biography ==
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He moved from Durban to Johannesburg in 1956 to join ''[[Drum]]'' magazine.
 +
 
 +
He left South Africa on an exit permit in the early 1960s after receiving a fellowship to study at Harvard University, beginning what was to be a long exile. The last 19 years of his life he moved back and forth between Europe, the US, Asia and South Africa.
 +
 
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He died in September 2010 at the age of 73.
 +
 
 +
=== Youth ===
 +
 
 +
 
 +
 
 +
=== Training ===
 +
He studied at Adams College. Studied journalism at Harvard University (1960-61).
 +
 
 +
=== Career ===
 +
He began work at ''[[Ilanga lase Natal]]'', then moved on to ''[[Drum]]'' and ''[[Post]]'' magazines. Over a long subsequent career, Nkosi taught at universities in Zambia, Poland, and the United States.
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==Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance==
 +
He was one of the collaborators in the workshop led by [[Athol Fugard]] to create ''[[No-Good Friday]]'' (1958. A friend of Fugard’s, he played “Father Higgins” in the first production of ''[[No-Good Friday]]'' before an all-white audience in Johannesburg in 1958.
 +
 
 +
Nkosi later wrote and published his own play, ''[[The Rhythm of Violence]]'' (1964).
 +
 
 +
His essays and articles are contained in a collection entitled ''[[Home and Exile]]'' (1965).
 +
 
 +
He wrote the novels ''Mating Birds'', ''Underground People'' and ''Mandela's Ego''.
 +
 
 +
His works were for a while banned in South Africa under the [[Suppression of Communism Act]].
 +
 
 +
== Awards, etc ==
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He was awarded The Order of Ikhamanga in  Silver, 2008.
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The University of KwaZuluNatal decided to confer a posthumous honorary doctorate degree on Professor Lewis Nkosi, 2011.
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== Sources ==
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''[[The Citizen]]'', 29 October 2008.
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''[[Cape Times]]'', 8 September 2010.
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''[[Sunday Independent]]'', 8 May 2011.
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[[NELM]] catalogue.
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Go to [[ESAT Bibliography]]
 +
 
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== Return to ==
 +
 
 +
Return to [[ESAT Personalities N]]  
  
 
Return to [[South_African_Theatre/Personalities|South African Theatre Personalities]]
 
Return to [[South_African_Theatre/Personalities|South African Theatre Personalities]]
 +
 +
Return to [[The ESAT Entries]]
  
 
Return to [[Main Page]]
 
Return to [[Main Page]]

Latest revision as of 10:10, 15 January 2019

Lewis Nkosi (1936-2010). Essayist, critic and dramatist.

Biography

He moved from Durban to Johannesburg in 1956 to join Drum magazine.

He left South Africa on an exit permit in the early 1960s after receiving a fellowship to study at Harvard University, beginning what was to be a long exile. The last 19 years of his life he moved back and forth between Europe, the US, Asia and South Africa.

He died in September 2010 at the age of 73.

Youth

Training

He studied at Adams College. Studied journalism at Harvard University (1960-61).

Career

He began work at Ilanga lase Natal, then moved on to Drum and Post magazines. Over a long subsequent career, Nkosi taught at universities in Zambia, Poland, and the United States.

Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance

He was one of the collaborators in the workshop led by Athol Fugard to create No-Good Friday (1958. A friend of Fugard’s, he played “Father Higgins” in the first production of No-Good Friday before an all-white audience in Johannesburg in 1958.

Nkosi later wrote and published his own play, The Rhythm of Violence (1964).

His essays and articles are contained in a collection entitled Home and Exile (1965).

He wrote the novels Mating Birds, Underground People and Mandela's Ego.

His works were for a while banned in South Africa under the Suppression of Communism Act.

Awards, etc

He was awarded The Order of Ikhamanga in Silver, 2008.

The University of KwaZuluNatal decided to confer a posthumous honorary doctorate degree on Professor Lewis Nkosi, 2011.

Sources

The Citizen, 29 October 2008.

Cape Times, 8 September 2010.

Sunday Independent, 8 May 2011.

NELM catalogue.

Go to ESAT Bibliography

Return to

Return to ESAT Personalities N

Return to South African Theatre Personalities

Return to The ESAT Entries

Return to Main Page