S02 E04 Hamilton Wende

Loading player...
In 1985, a young Hamilton Wende watched the South African security forces drag seven bodies into Casspirs at Crossroads township and lie about it on the evening news. Since that day, he has dedicated himself as a war reporter to keeping the record and telling the truth in wartime situations.

Hamilton Wende joins Fiona Snyckers and Gail Schimmel to break down how he
went from being a 16-year-old boy who used to hide Pride and Prejudice behind his Maths textbook at boarding school to a seasoned war reporter, historical novelist, and children’s author. Hamilton is the author of numerous historical novels, set in wartime situations, as well as the Arabella series of novels for tweens.

Fiona talks about dealing with professional jealousy as a writer and Gail tells us how
her break from writing has freed up different parts of her brain.
This episode provides fascinating insight into how one man’s day job – war reporting
– can feed into decades of fiction writing.
9 Oct 2023 English South Africa Books · Arts

Other recent episodes

S06 E07 Claire Robertson

Claire Robertson is a South African literary superstar and winner of multiple major awards. Claire is the author of numerous works of contemporary and historical fiction. Her most recent novel THE IMMORTALITES is out now from Penguin Random House. Claire joins Fiona Snyckers and Gail Schimmel to talk about how…
20 Oct 58 min

S06 E06 Zibu Sithole

Zibu Sithole is the popular and multi-award-nominated author of the ZOLA trilogy of novels. The final novel in the trilogy LOVE, ZOLA is published by Pan Macmillan and is in bookstores right now. Zibu joins Fiona Snyckers and Gail Schimmel to talk about why she feels it is her duty…
13 Oct 1 hr 02 min

S06 E05 Tony Park

Tony Park is the bestselling author of multiple series and standalone novels set in southern Africa. DIE BY THE SWORD is out right now, published by Pan Macmillan. Tony joins Fiona Snyckers and Gail Schimmel to talk about the origin of his special relationship with the southern African bush. He…
6 Oct 1 hr 21 min

S06 E04 Onke Mazibuko

Onke Mazibuko is the award-winning author of the coming-of-age novel THE SECOND VERSE and the whistleblower thriller CANARY, both published by Penguin Random House. Onke joins Fiona Snyckers and Gail Schimmel to talk about growing up in the early days of liberation in South Africa, and the influence of rap…
29 Sep 1 hr 12 min

S06 E03 Bonnie Espie

Bonnie Espie is the author of this year's sleeper hit novel MAKING A KILLING, as well as several short stories. Bonnie joins Fiona Snyckers and Gail Schimmel to talk about making her publishing dreams come true, and the role that writing workshops and support groups have played in her success…
22 Sep 57 min