Gladys Thomas, poet, playwright and short story writer, Gladys Thomas, is well known overseas but relatively unknown in her own native country. Although considered a ‘Simonite’, Gladys was originally born in Salt River, Cape Town as an orphan. She was later adopted by a family from Lakeside and subsequently moved to the area with her new family. Like many young people at the time, Gladys left school to find work to support her family in a sweet factory and later a shirt manufacturing company.  

Her family was forcibly removed from lakeside and their house was demolished. At the age of 18, Gladys married Albert Thomas and moved to in Simons Town. In 1965, Simon’s Town was declared a ‘Whites-Only’ area under the Group Areas Act. Gladys, with her husband and three children were forcibly removed from Simon’s Town to Zodiac Road, Ocean View. This would be the second time that Gladys would experience forced removals. These experiences would shape and influence the writing of Gladys Thomas.

Gladys began writing poetry then (1971) which was published jointly with James Mathews’ poetry in  “Cry Rage,” the first book o poetry to be banned in South Africa. She has written six plays, four of which were staged in the townships of the Cape Flats. Three of the one-act plays won first prize in “The World” newspaper literary competition, just before it was banned in 1977. She also wrote a full-length play titled “Avalon Court” which won first prize in 1990 for the African Literature Awards, a major annual literary competition. Galdys also wrote a number of children’s books that spoke to the experiences of children during apartheid. Tiles include: “Children of Crossroads”, and “Spotty Dog and Other Township Stories.”

Gladys Thomas was active in community/civic/cultural activities including being a founding member of COSAW (Congress of South African Wrtiters), member of UWCO (United Women’s Congress), and the Federation of South African Women. Gladys and Albert were also founding members of CAHAC (Cape Areas Housing Action Committee) which was the forerunner to the UDF (United Democratic Front).

Gladys Thomas was awarded the Bronze Ikamanga award by President Thabo Mbeki in special recognition of her ‘outstanding contribution to poetry and short stories.’ In 2008 Gladys Thomas was also awarded Shoprite/Checkers Women of the year

 

Compiled By: Fawziyah Khan

 

References

Matilda, Neo, "Poet Cries Range Over Land Claim Well Known Writer Says She Has Been Waiting In Vain For 7 Years". Cape Argus, 2013.

Garth, King, “honours for Gladys Ocean View Poet Receives President Award”, False Bay Echo, 2007

The Archive of the Thomas family at Simons Town Museum