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Gladys Thomas

1934 – 2022

South African poet

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About Gladys Thomas

Lived 1934 – 2022 (aged 87). Gladys Thomas was a South African poet, playwright, short story writer, author and activist.

Gladys Doreen Thomas (née Adams, 14 December 1934 – 2 April 2022) was a South African poet and playwright. Thomas was one of the first black South African women poets to be published. Her co-authored debut anthology, Cry Rage, was the first book of poetry to be banned in South Africa.

On 24 April 2007, Thomas was awarded the Order of Ikhamanga (Silver) for "Outstanding contribution to poetry and short stories through which she exposed the political injustices and human suffering of the apartheid regime and for raising international consciousness about the ravages of apartheid."

Thomas died on 2 April 2022, at the age of 87.

Works Cry Rage!, 1972 Exile Within, 1986 Spotty Dog and Other Stories: Stories for and of South African Township Children, c.1983 Avalon Court (Vignettes of Life of the Coloured People on the Cape Flats of Cape Town)

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Education
International Writing Program
Awards
Order of Ikhamanga in Silver; South African Literary Awards; Women of the Year
Also known as
Gladys Adams

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Gladys Thomas's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Gladys Thomas?

South African poet

When was Gladys Thomas born?

Gladys Thomas was born on 14 December 1934 in Salt River.

When did Gladys Thomas die?

Gladys Thomas died on 2 April 2022.

What was Gladys Thomas's occupation?

Gladys Thomas was a poet, playwright, short story writer, author and activist.

What nationality was Gladys Thomas?

Gladys Thomas was South African.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Gladys Thomas

· Wikidata: Q20829299

· DBpedia: Gladys Thomas

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Gladys Thomas. https://biography.guide/gladys-thomas/

MLA: "Gladys Thomas." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/gladys-thomas/.

Chicago: "Gladys Thomas." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/gladys-thomas/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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