Robert Mshengu Kavanagh

Rhodes Scholar, alumnus of Cape Town, Oxford and Leeds, fourth generation African of Gaelic descent, conversant in six African and three European languages, published author, cultural activist, director, performing artist and academic in South Africa, Ethiopia and Zimbabwe, Dr Robert Malcolm McLaren (aka Robert Mshengu Kavanagh) is a South African who has lived in Zimbabwe from 1984 to the present. He has a B.A. Hons. in English Literature from the University of Cape Town, an M.Phil. from Oxford and a Ph.D. from Leeds. He was born in Durban and educated in Natal – Highbury Preparatory School for Boys and Hilton College.

He co-founded the following: Workshop ’71 Experimental Theatre (Johannesburg, 1971), Theatre Arts Departments (Addis Ababa University, 1980/University of Zimbabwe, 1986), Zambuko/Izibuko (political theatre group, Harare, 1985), CHIPAWO Arts Education for Development and Employment Trust (Harare, 1989) and the Zimbabwe Association of Theatre for Children and Young People (ZATCYP/ASSITEJ). In 2012 he won the Ibsen Prize for a project called ‘Negotiating Ibsen in Southern Africa’.

He lives in Marlborough, Harare with his second wife, Hazvinei. He has four children by his late wife, Thembani – Sibongile, Thando, Njabulo and Gugu – and three with his present wife, Hazvinei – Shalom, Rudairo and Ropafadzo.