Background
Orford was born in London and grew up in Namibia and South Africa.
Orford was born in London and grew up in Namibia and South Africa.
After travelling widely, she studied under J. M. Coetzee before embarking on a career in publishing in the newly emerged Namibia.
She was detained during the 1985 State of Emergency while a student at the University of Cape Town, taking her final examinations in prison. She returned to live in South Africa in 2001.