Cussons, Sheila (1922–2004)
Cussons, Sheila (1922–2004)
South African poet. Born 1922 in Piketberg, Western Cape, South Africa; died at Nazareth House, Nov 26, 2004, in Vredehoek, South Africa; m. C.J.M. Nienaber (literary critic, div.); m. Joan de Saladrigas (Spanish businessman); children: Juame and Jordi Saladrigas-Cussons.
Celebrated South African poet, studied fine arts at University of Natal in Pietermaritzburg, as well as in London and Amsterdam; on 2nd marriage, moved to Barcelona, Spain, and converted to the Roman Catholic faith (1955); returned to Cape Town, South Africa (1982); after being severely burned in an accident, began to write religious and mystical poems, many illustrated by her own drawings; published 1st poems in the anthology Stiebeuel (1946); works include Plektrum (1970), Die Swart Kombuis (1978), Verf en Vlam (1978), Die Skitterende Wond (1979), Die Somerjood (1980), Die Woedende Brood (1981), Gestaltes 1947 (1982), Verwikkelde Lyn (1983), Membraan (1984), Die Heilige Moeder (1988), Die Knetterende Woord (1991), and Die Asem wat Ekstase is (2000); also translated stories by Jorge Luis Borges into Afrikaans in Die Vorm van die Swaard en Ander Verhale; lived at Nazareth House (1994–2004). Received CNA Prize, Luyt Prize, WA Hofmeyr Prize (twice), and Hertzog Prize.