Kerwin Lebone

Kerwin Lebone was born in Alexandra Township, Johannesburg. He matriculated in Goronyane High School, Thaba Nchu, which then fell under the homeland of Bophutatswana. This was after his parents had moved him from Alexandra High School to escape the political turmoil that took place around urban areas in the 1980s.

After a brief stint as a journalist with various South African newspapers, including the Sunday Times, he enrolled for a Bachelor's degree at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) which he completed in 1997.

Employment as a casino cashier then followed to pay off his university loan. Upon receiving his academic transcripts in 2003, he began work as a crime and living conditions researcher.

Lebone wrote two short stories while he was studying at Wits: The Burnt Child was published in a student newspaper, while Bewitched was published in a collection of short stories by the Department of African Studies.

In 2000 he was named first runner-up in the ERA short story competition sponsored by Anglo Platinum.