Sibongile Maputi was born in 1976 at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town to impoverished working parents hailing from the rural town of Middledrift in the Eastern Cape. Both parents, having not advanced beyond Form V, spent their entire lives engaged in migrant labour in Cape Town—an experience that would profoundly influence much of Sibongile's literary work. Against the backdrop of South Africa's political turbulence in the early 1980s, he was sent to be raised by his maternal grandparents in the Eastern Cape. Unfortunately, they passed away in 1992 and 1994. In 1995, he returned to Cape Town to reside permanently with his mother. Sibongile Maputi has an impressive literary portfolio, having authored 13 books, including 10 isiXhosa novels, two isiXhosa poetry anthologies, and one folklore title. His outstanding body of work earned him the prestigious WC Literature Award in 2023. Additionally, he was shortlisted for Jacana Media’s Sol Plaatje EU Poetry Award. Notably, one of his poems, titled "Nkandla," addresses the corruption scandal associated with the construction of former President Jacob Zuma's private residence using state funds, allegedly "without his knowledge." This thought-provoking poem was also translated into English and featured in the 2017 2nd Annual Poetry Anthology. Living by the motto that "Authors are to the reader what God is to religion," Sibongile Maputi's life and work reflect a deep connection to his roots, a keen awareness of social issues, and a commitment to artistic expression