Zukiswa Wanner was born in Lusaka, Zambia to an exiled Umkhonto we Sizwe father and an exiled Zimbabwean mother. She lived in Zimbabwe. She studied journalism at Hawaii Pacific University in Honolulu. Zukiswa came to South Africa in 2003 and now lives in Johannesburg. In 2006 her first book was published. The Madams deals with post-apartheid racial role-reversal. The main character, Thandi, is a Superwoman working mother and wife. She works for the Tourism Board. At home she's the perfect traditional wife and mother, at work the perfect promotable black woman, and the perfect friend for her two best friends (one black and Xhosa, one white and English). Thandi admits defeat and decides she needs the South African bourgeois accessory: a maid. She decides it must be a white maid. Marita joins the household and soon life is not the same. Thandi's friend and neighbour, Lauren, believes she is British royalty. Thandi's other friend, Nosizwe, is an old college friend and from a snobby family.
Zukiswa's next book is called Behind Every Successful Man. This book's main charater is Nobantu, who has everything a girl could dream of - a successful businessman for a husband, two children, and two of the best friends in the world. On Nobantu’s 35th birthday, surrounded by glitz, glamour and fame, she wonders what has happened to her ambitions? Her career? What has happened to Nobantu - First Lady of Black Economic Empowerment? She goes on to reclaim her independence and starts her own business, leaving behind her husband, kids and birthday present Jaguar.
