Robert Kirby (26 April 1936 – 10 February 2007) was a famous South African satirist, playwright, comedian, novelist, columnist and musician who died in 2007 following complications from a heart operation, four months prior.

He became well known for his brand of satirical humour and his sharp wit—both of which were demonstrated in his later column in the South African newspaper, Mail & Guardian.

Kirby is particularly remembered for his plays and reviews which were highly monitored due to his liberal attitude to apartheid.

Kirby was twice awarded the English Academy of Southern Africa’s Thomas Pringle Award for journalism, in 1996 and 2002, for his reviews and for an educational article respectively.

Reviews Plays TV Sitcoms Columns Books