Steve Chimombo was born and died in Zomba leaving his wife, daughter, two sons, and five grandchildren. He was educated in Malawi, Wales, England, and the United States of America. He held a doctorate from Columbia University New York, and an Honorary Fellowship in writing from Iowa University. He was Professor Emeritus in English at the University of Malawi. Chimombo was also poet, play write, short story writer, novelist, editor and literary critic