COUNTRY OF BIRTH

South Africa

INDUSTRY

Publishing

TOP ACHIEVEMENTS

Thabiso Mahlape is a pioneering South African author and publisher known for being an outspoken advocate for new black writing. Mahlape published the award-winning book Endings & Beginnings by Redi Tlhabi, which made her one of South Africa’s most sought-after publishers.

EARLY LIFE

After achieving a Bachelor of Information Science from the University of Pretoria with a specialty in publishing, Thabiso Mahlape struggled for three years with unemployment. In 2010, she finally managed to secure an internship at Jacana Media.

Rise to Success

In August 2015, the face of South African publishing changed when Mahlape launched a book imprint named Blackbird. This became the publishing home to black writers in South Africa and pioneered a framework for new South African narratives. Since its launch, Blackbird has published several titles including popular books like The Last Sentence by Tumelo Buthelezi, An Image in a Mirror by Ijangolet S. Ogwang, Born to Kwaito by Esinako Ndabeni and Sihle Mthembu, The Broken River Tent by Mphuthumi Ntabene, and many more.
Mahlape is the first black woman in South Africa to have her own imprint. Being successful in a cutthroat industry comes along with its own challenges, particularly as a black female in a country that is still overcoming previous discrimination practices. Mahlape claims that men of all races and even some black women have attempted to undermine her, but that she has managed to succeed regardless and continues to give new and exciting black authors the chance to realize their dreams.

ADDITIONAL FACTS

• Mahlape was named as one of the #200 Young South Africans by Mail and Guardian in 2017.
• Mahlape named her company Blackbird because it is the title of a song by Nina Simone that refers to the struggles in society faced by black women.