Zukiswa Wanner was born in Zambia to a South African father and a Zimbabwean mother. Her mother claims that she has been rebellious ever since her birth at the momentous time of the Soweto Uprisings – although, unlike the Soweto martyrs, Zukiswa is yet to find a cause.

Her primary and high school education was undertaken in Zimbabwe. An only child, Wanner insisted on studying her journalism undergraduate degree at Hawaii Pacific University in Honolulu – allegedly because she wanted to learn more about the fascinating Kanaka Maoli’s (native Hawaiian) rich history, but in actual fact because that was the only place she knew where her parents did not have friends.

Craving independence and restless by nature, Wanner also lived in England for a time. However, she now insists that she is permanently tied to the cultural capital of the world, Johannesburg, where she lives with her son, her computer and her fridge.

Her debut novel, The Madams, published in November 2006, dealt with racial role reversals in post-apartheid South Africa. She has also written numerous short stories for the amusement of her Johannesburg comrades in ink and drink, although Wanner herself claims not to drink – much. In addition to writing fiction, she has also contributed essays to Oprah, Elle and Juice magazines, and literary reviews and essays to Afropolitan and Sunday Independent, as well as international online journal, African Writing.

Behind Every Successful Man is her second novel.