WOMEN IN ARTS, FILM & MEDIA
Zibu Sithole
Self-employed
Zibu Sithole is a freelance writer and author whose work, characterised by its unique blend of fiction, journalism, and advocacy, sets her apart in the literary world. She holds a BA in Journalism from the University of Johannesburg. Balancing her writing career with homeschooling her son, she starts her days immersed in news and social media, staying tuned to the world she reflects in her fiction. Her breakthrough came with “The Thing with Zola” in 2023, followed by “I Do… Don’t I? and the trilogy-closing Love, Zola in 2025. Completing the series in just three years, Zibu earned longlist recognition from both the Sunday Times and the South African Literary Awards. The Zola series explores love, identity, and personal growth, offering compelling narratives of women as they pursue happiness and agency on their own terms. Beyond accolades, Zibu connects with readers through interviews, online platforms, and storytelling that sparks dialogue and inspires change. A single mother and serial “rerouter,” she champions second chances, guiding others to redefine themselves. Her philosophy—“it’s not just okay, but vital to start over and dream a new dream”—shapes both her life and her writing. Through her fiction, Zibu empowers readers to embrace possibility, resilience, and authentic joy, demonstrating that even in a rapidly changing world, stories can serve as a lifeline, a roadmap, and a call to dream boldly.
