YY

Leyya Matthews (also known as YY) is an acclaimed writer, editor, and cultural critic from Johannesburg, South Africa. Her work is distinguished by its incisive analysis and personal insight into the complexities of identity, race, and pop culture in a post-apartheid society.

With a powerful and distinctive voice, Matthews expertly navigates themes of coloured identity, feminism, mental health, and the nuances of urban life in Johannesburg. Her essays and articles are celebrated for their intellectual rigour, sharp wit, and profound vulnerability, making her a significant voice in South African letters.

Her writing has been featured in a host of prominent local and international publications, including Mail & Guardian, New Frame, The Johannesburg Review of Books, and Africa Is a Country, among others. As an editor and critic, she has played a vital role in shaping contemporary cultural discourse. Through her deeply engaged and thought-provoking work, Matthews continues to challenge and expand conversations around identity in South Africa and beyond.