Sue Nyathi author of The Polygamist says the story reflects women’s lives
More than a decade after being told there was little commercial interest in her manuscript, Zimbabwean author Sue Nyathi is watching her debut novel captivate audiences around the world.
Her book, The Polygamist, which she initially published herself after struggling to secure a publisher, has been transformed into a Netflix series that has gained international attention and climbed streaming charts in dozens of countries.
For Nyathi, the success represents far more than a television adaptation. It is validation of a story she believed deserved to be told when others doubted its appeal.
The novel explores the lives of several women connected to one charismatic businessman whose secret relationships unravel the illusion of a conventional marriage. While the title references polygamy, Nyathi says the story is really about power, deception, gender dynamics and the consequences of relationships built without honesty.
Drawing on her upbringing in Zimbabwe, where traditional polygamous families were not uncommon, she distinguishes between customary arrangements entered into openly and what she describes as modern relationships in which multiple partners are kept hidden from one another.
That distinction sits at the centre of the story. Rather than focusing on the practice of polygamy itself, the narrative examines how secrecy and unequal power can affect women whose lives become intertwined through one man.
The themes appear to have resonated with viewers well beyond Southern Africa. According to Nyathi, many women have reached out to say they recognise aspects of their own experiences in the characters and situations portrayed on screen.
The Netflix adaptation differs from the original novel in several ways. The story was relocated to South Africa and produced in Zulu, a decision Nyathi believes added cultural depth and authenticity. While some plot elements were altered for television, she says the core issues explored in the book remain intact.
The writer also believes the series challenges common international stereotypes about Africa. Instead of presenting narratives centred on poverty or conflict, the story focuses on successful Black professionals, complex family relationships and social realities that are often overlooked in global portrayals of the continent.
Nyathi’s own journey mirrors the perseverance she often writes about. Before becoming a full-time author, she spent nearly two decades working in finance while writing during evenings and weekends. She eventually left the corporate world to pursue writing full time, but says the transition came with significant financial uncertainty.
As a single mother, she balanced work, family responsibilities and writing for years before gaining widespread recognition. The recent popularity of The Polygamist has therefore been described by some as an overnight success, a characterisation she rejects.
According to her, the attention may have arrived suddenly, but it is the result of years of sacrifice, persistence and belief in a story that many initially dismissed.
Now working on a new historical novel, Nyathi hopes her experience encourages aspiring writers, particularly women, to pursue their ideas regardless of financial obstacles or industry scepticism.
Her message is simple: a story can begin with nothing more than determination, a pen and a blank page.
Source: BBC
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