By Fred Felton | Feb. 4, 2025
The
former High Court judge and award-winning author Chris Nicholson is back with a
new book titled Who Really Killed Chris
Hani?, with his many years as a lawyer and then High Court judge, Nicholson
has presided over many high-profile and sensitive cases.
 |
| Who Really Killed Chris Hani? the new book by Chris Nicholson. Photo: Supplied. |
He
certainly brings all of his experience with him as he takes readers on a
journey into an event that became a critical time in our country’s history.
Nicholson
has also built a formidable second reputation as an award-winning author, with
eight books and a play to his name. Two of his previous nonfiction works were
nominated for the Alan Paton Award.
In
his new book, Who Really Killed Chris
Hani?, Nicholson uses his experience as a judge to look at the events that
pushed South Africa to the brink. He drew on court records, intelligence
material, and investigative journalism and looked at all the evidence.
The
book is a deep dive into investigative history and has the pace of a thriller
and also the weight of legal judgement. It certainly raises some interesting
questions for the reader.
I managed to sit down with Chris Nicholson and ask him some questions around the book and about writing.
Why did you write the
book?
‘’I
wrote the book because I felt compelled to capture a set of ideas and
experiences that I believe are both timely and enduring. It was driven by a
desire to contribute something meaningful to the conversation, something
honest, reflective, and useful. At its core, the book is about sharing
perspective on the lessons learned along the way, the mistakes as much as the
successes, and the hope that readers might see parts of themselves in the story
and feel encouraged to think differently or act more boldly.’’
How long did it take
you to write it?
‘’From
first concept to final manuscript the book took just over two years, but the
idea and research has been 10 years in the making. While the actual writing
came in concentrated bursts, much of the time was spent thinking, refining
ideas, researching, and allowing the narrative to mature. I’ve learned that
writing a book is as much about patience and discipline as it is about
inspiration.’’
Your advice for young
authors?
‘’Write
consistently, even when you don’t feel inspired, and don’t wait for permission
to begin. Read widely, edit ruthlessly, and accept that your first draft is not
meant to be perfect. Most importantly, write with authenticity, your voice and
perspective are your greatest assets. The courage to finish is often more
important than the talent to start.’’
His
new book is available directly via Chris Nicholson’s website https://chrisnicholson.co.za or from Exclusive
Books or Amazon.
