Struan was born in Umhlanga Rocks Kwa Zulu Natal to Tessa and Robert Douglas in 1976. He attended school in Durban and University in Cape Town. At UCT he studied to an honours in religion and philosophy and whist studying began as a freelance journalist specialising in South African jazz and African music. From his beginnings in1999 as a columnist for Big Issue and Downbeat to the current day as a regular contributor to many publications, Struan is actively engaged in Pan-African arts and culture. Struan also works as a self publisher, book editor and trumpet player. He is currently based in Johannesburg.