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Author of the Equinox Saga • Director of Control Room & AV Solutions
Yusuf R Shaik is a South African author and technology specialist whose work explores humanity’s resilience, destiny, and our place in the cosmos. His bestselling science fiction saga, Equinox, blends real-world science with cinematic adventure, taking readers from the streets of Earth to the far reaches of space.
Yusuf grew up in the coastal town of Tongaat on the north coast of KwaZulu-Natal. Coming from humble beginnings and a conservative environment, he developed a strong drive to explore beyond his surroundings and create a better life. At Tongaat Secondary School he immersed himself in science, athletics and reading, seeking both knowledge and confidence.
After moving to Pretoria with little more than a small bag and determination, Yusuf worked as a workbench electronics technician while studying electrical engineering. Upon graduating, he began a career that introduced him to Barco display technology and took him across Africa, working on complex control room and audiovisual projects that demanded real-world problem solving, long hours and frequent travel.
Writing became a natural outlet for his imagination and love of science. His first story, Being Jason, was a coming-of-age tale loosely based on his own life. The early draft of what would become the Equinox trilogy was written entirely on a Blackberry device at home, at work when time allowed, and while travelling between sites.
When Equinox: Beginnings was published on Wattpad, it quickly amassed more than 30,000 reads. The emotional response to Jason King, the central character, and to the dramatic ending of the trilogy made it clear how strongly readers connected with the story. That response inspired Yusuf to expand the trilogy into the larger Equinox Saga.
The Equinox books follow Jason King and an ensemble cast as they confront extinction-level threats, moral dilemmas and the consequences of power on a galactic scale. Themes of sacrifice, love, loyalty and obsession run through the series, anchored by real scientific ideas and grounded, character-driven storytelling.
Alongside his writing, Yusuf is the founder and director of Control Room and AV Solutions (Pty) Ltd, a Barco-certified specialist company delivering high-end control room, audiovisual and video conferencing solutions across South Africa. His work in mission-critical environments and advanced technology strongly influences the technical realism found in his novels.
Yusuf’s inspirations include physics, space exploration, human psychology and the ethical boundaries of technology. He believes storytelling and engineering are closely linked: both seek to understand complex systems and imagine what might be possible just beyond the horizon.