Yewande Omotoso, was born in 1980, is a South African novelist, architect, and designer.
She was born in Bridgetown, Barbados, and raised in Nigeria before settling in Johannesburg.
Omotoso is renowned for her two published novels, earning the South African Literary Award for First-Time Published Author and receiving nominations for various prestigious literary accolades.
FACTS ABOUT YEWANDE OMOTOSHO
- FULL NAME: Yewande Omotosho
- DATE OF BIRTH: 1980
- PLACE OF BIRTH: Bridgetown, Barbados
- NATIONALITY: Nigerian/Barbadian/South African
- OCCUPATIONS : Novelist, Architect, Designer
EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION
She is the daughter of Nigerian author Kole Omotoso and the sister of filmmaker Akin Omotoso.
At a young age, Yewande moved to Nigeria with her Barbadian mother, Nigerian father, and two older brothers.
She grew up in Ile-Ife, Osun State, and relocated to South Africa in 1992 when her father accepted a position at the University of the Western Cape.
Although she has lived in South Africa for many years, she identifies as a blend of three cultures: Barbados, Nigeria, and South Africa, with Nigeria significantly influencing her sense of self.
Omotoso studied architecture at the University of Cape Town (UCT) and later obtained a master’s degree in Creative Writing from the same university.
CAREER
In a 2015 interview, she reflected on the intricacies of her identity, highlighting her strong ties to Nigeria amidst the complexities of her diverse experiences and migrations.
Her debut novel, “Bom Boy,” was published in 2011 and garnered critical acclaim, winning the South African Literary Award and being shortlisted for several other literary honors.
Her second novel, *The Woman Next Door*, released in 2016, garnered significant acclaim from critics and received multiple award nominations.
Beyond her novels, Omotoso has written stories and poetry for various publications and has participated in literary festivals globally.
Since 2017, she has been active with PEN South Africa, taking on the role of vice president in 2019.
PERSONAL LIFE
Renowned for her innovative use of emojis, such as the juju mask, there is currently no public information regarding Yewande Omotoso’s marital status.