Mr Ayanda Billie was born in KwaNobuhle, Uitenhage, and has lived there all his life. He has published three poetry collections, Avenues of my soul in English, Umhlaba Umanzi in isiXhosa, and KwaNobuhle Overcast in English. Some of his poetry has been published in many literary journals like Kotaz, Timbila, New Coin, New Contrast, and Tyhini. He works as a quality inspector at Volkswagen SA in Uitenhage. He is also a community arts activist, and co-organiser of the Mandela Bay Book Fair.