Dan
Sleigh

Daniel (Dan) Sleigh was born on the farm Geelbeksfontein on the West Coast on November 3, 1938. He matriculated at Vredenburg High School and then joined the South African Navy. Until 1962, he studied at the Paarl Training College to become a Physical Education teacher, after which he taught in Namibia and Cape Town.

In 1969 he completed his BA Degree in History and English Literature at UNISA. Sleigh then completed a MA Degree cum laude, followed by a Doctorate in History in 1987 at Stellenbosch University. Until his retirement in 1996, Sleigh worked at the Western Cape Department of Education.

He made his literary debut in 1974 with the book of poetry Duif oor water. This was followed by historical works like Die buiteposte and Tussen twee vlae.

In 2001 he won the Sanlam/Insig/Tafelberg Competition for his novel Eilande. This novel was later also awarded the WA Hofmeyr, RAU, M-Net and Helgaard Steyn Prizes.