Zukiswa Wanner was born in Zambia to a South African father and a Zimbabwean mother. Her novels include The Madams, Behind Every Successful Man, and Men of the South. In addition to writing fiction, Zukiswa has also contributed essays to Oprah, Elle, and Juice magazines, and literary reviews and essays to Afropolitan and Sunday Independent. She is also a founding member of the ReadSA initiative, a campaign encouraging South Africa to read South African works.