Niren Tolsi Solidarity Fund Campaign

Anybody interested in the cultural landscape of South Africa will need no introduction to Niren Tolsi. He is one of the country’s foremost journalists and has written with an incisive clarity on arts and culture. In addition, his work on the Marikana massacre unveiled the grief, strength and dignity of the families of Marikana with aching clarity. His work has appeared in The Guardian, The Mail and Guardian, New Frame, The Times and numerous online platforms. His annual reflection on the National Arts Festival in Makhanda is often the definitive piece of the festival.

His many accolades include 2016 South African Arts Journalist of the Year, the 2017 Ruth First Fellowship & a Heinrich Böll Journalism Fellowship. He directed, produced & curated the Marikana – Ten Years On exhibition & public engagement programme at the 2022 National Arts Festival

Like many in the journalism sector in South Africa financial stability is a pipe dream. Niren is currently facing crippling medical bills a result of a cancer diagnosis. In addition, despite his many years of service to the Mail and Guardian their shoddy treatment of him has further affected his financial stability. If you have at any time been moved by Niren’s writing, you are able to offer him some support now. He has been witness to so much social injustice in South Africa and has brought it to our attention with writing that demands a response. Your donation, no mater how small will enable him to continue to do just that.