Oliver Roberts is a multi-award-winning journalist, writer and photographer based in Johannesburg, South Africa. His work explores the strange, intimate and often overlooked corners of human experience.

He has written about and photographed a wide range of subjects and people, from nudists, asexuals and suicide survivors to sex workers, Wiccans and UFO hunters.

Driven by a preference for firsthand experience, Roberts often places himself inside the stories he tells. This has seen him spend a day working as a department store Santa Claus, take part in a paranormal investigation, ride a rodeo bull and train with New York Marathon winner Hendrick Ramala.

His interviews have included figures from across the worlds of culture, science and entertainment, among them William Shatner, John Cleese, Pharrell Williams, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, Jackie Collins, Arianna Huffington, Richard E. Grant, William Kentridge, Professor Brian Cox and Paul Theroux.

AWARDS

2025 - Shortlisted for The Bedford Writing Competition - Neck of the Dragon

2025 - Shortlisted for Inkspot short story competition - Returns

2014 - Standard Bank Arts Writing Award 

2010 - Mondi Journalism Award for Feature Writing - The Quest to be One

2008 - Mondi Journalism Award for Creative Journalism - Don't Look Down

EXHIBITION

2017 - #overnightrush at FotoZA Gallery (sponsored by Leica)