Mark Mathabane is a South African author, speaker, and education activist who is best known for his memoir "Kaffir Boy: The True Story of a Black Youth's Coming of Age in Apartheid South Africa." In this book, Mathabane tells the story of his life growing up in a poor, black township in South Africa during the height of apartheid.
Mathabane was born in 1960 in Alexandra, a township located in Johannesburg, South Africa. He was the youngest of seven children and grew up in a household that was constantly struggling to make ends meet. His mother worked as a domestic servant, and his father was a part-time minibus driver. Despite their poverty, Mathabane's parents were determined to give their children the best education possible. They encouraged Mathabane and his siblings to excel in their studies, and Mathabane quickly became one of the top students in his school.
However, Mathabane's education was not without its challenges. As a black student in apartheid South Africa, he faced discrimination and segregation on a daily basis. Mathabane was not allowed to attend the same schools as white students, and he was often subjected to harsh punishment and abuse by teachers and school officials. Despite these challenges, Mathabane persevered and eventually earned a scholarship to study abroad in the United States.
In the United States, Mathabane attended Wheaton College in Illinois, where he excelled academically and earned a degree in economics. After graduation, he worked as a journalist and eventually wrote "Kaffir Boy," which became a best-seller and helped to shed light on the harsh realities of life in apartheid South Africa.
In addition to his work as an author, Mathabane is also an advocate for education and has worked to promote literacy and education in underprivileged communities. He has also been involved in various charitable organizations, including the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund and the South African Red Cross.
Today, Mathabane is married and has two children. He continues to write and speak about his experiences growing up in apartheid South Africa and the importance of education in breaking the cycle of poverty. His family has played a significant role in his life and his work, and he credits his parents' determination and commitment to education as the driving force behind his own success.