Morné Malan

Morné Malan (19**- ). South African author and playwright.

Biography

Born in Benoni, he matriculated at the Hoërskool Brandwag in 1992. Hy voltooi in 2009 ’n PhD in Engelse Letterkunde aan die Universiteit van die Witwatersrand. In 2010 kom sy komiese roman, Sonbesie, uit. Hy werk tans in bemarking by ’n internasionale tegnologiemaatskappy.

Training

After school he studied drama at the University of Pretoria (University of Pretoria, then studied at University of the Witwatersrand, completing a BA Hons. (Drama), Cum Laude (1995-1997), an MA in English in English (2008) and a PhD (2009).

Career

Starting out as a copywriter for Lesoba Difference (2002 - 2004), then for Troika Imagineering Works (2005).

In 2006 he began working at The Write Co., editing and preparing manuscripts for publishing on a freelance and contractual basis. In this capacity he coaches and consults with unpublished authors, and facilitates writing and editing workshops - both in person and via correspondence.

Besides his work in theatre and his playwriting, he is a prize-winning novelist, his Afrikaans novel Suiderkruis ("Southern cross") was awarded the debut prize in Sanlam and Insig's Groot Romanwedstryd ("Big Novel Competition") in 2007 (published 2008). Other novels have followed.

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

It is during his time as student that the play Sonder Vlerke saw the light – a text that would become the book Suiderkruis ten years later. This novel won the debut category of the Sanlam/Insig Groot Romanwedstryd in 2007.

As an actor, he had a role in Brakanjan in 1996 and Bartho Smit's Die Keiser, (PACT 1998).

He wrote a number of plays for young people, including Antonio, die Fluitspeler, Drie Engele, 'n Pruim en 'n Slonskous, Eet Alles, Die Eksperiment, Noodkrag Word Met “Generators” Opgewek, Boem in die Boks .

Novels include: Suiderkruis (Tafelberg, 2008); Sonbesie (Tafelberg (2010).