Athambile Masola is a South African writer, poet, researcher and educator who is passionate about African stories and languages. She writes books for young readers that celebrate girlhood, history and the power of imagination. Masola is currently a lecturer at the University of Pretoria (2025), where she works on projects related to language, literacy and African women’s narratives. Her children’s books — including the award-winning Makhulu and Me (co-authored with Xolisa Guzula) — encourage young readers to see themselves in stories and to value their heritage. Warm, thoughtful and committed to storytelling, Masola continues to inspire new generations of readers and writers. Together Apart: The Story of Living in Apartheid is co authored by Athambile Masola and Xolisa Guzula.

Xolisa Guzula is a South African educator, author, translator, and literacy advocate committed to multilingual children’s literature and literacy education. She is currently (2025) a senior lecturer in Applied Language and Literacy Studies at University of Cape Town, where she specializes in helping children learn to speak, read and write in two or more languages — bridging English and African home languages. She has written several children’s books and co authored the children’s history series Imbokodo: Women Who Shape Us. As a translator, she has translated numerous acclaimed children’s books from English into isiXhosa, including a translation of the internationally recognized title The Hidden Star into isiXhosa — part of her broader work to make children’s literature more accessible in South African languages. Together Apart: The Story of Living in Apartheid is co authored by Athambile Masola and Xolisa Guzula.