Interview with Former High Court Judge and Author Chris Nicholson

 

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.