Forced to Grow
Sindiwe Magona

5 1/4" x 8" • 232 pages
ISBN 1566562651 • paperback • $12.95 •

To My Children's Children, the powerful and widely acclaimed autobiography of Sindiwe Magona's early years in South Africa, announced the arrival of a major new black writer. Forced to Grow covers the next years in her tough but triumphant life. It continues the story after the point when her husband deserted her and left her, aged 23, to fend for herself and her three small children.

With vibrance and intimacy, she describes her experiences as a young teacher, her ambitious studies, agonies as a parent during the 1976 student revolt, involvement in women's organizations working for racial harmony, and her mind-blowing journeyings between Guguletu and New York after receiving a scholarship to attend Columbia University. Throughout she retains a sharp sense of humor even when describing the many hardships and crises of her eventful life.


Sindiwe Magona grew up in Transkei village and spent her adolescence on the Cape Flats. She is the author of Forced to Grow, To My Children’s Children, and Mother to Mother. She lives and works in New York City.

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