Heidi Holland, RIP
Journalist and author Heidi Holland, who wrote the bestselling Dinner with Mugabe, died on Saturday, it was widely reported. Her body was found in her home in Melville, Johannesburg:
Holland was found dead in her home on Saturday, the result of a possible suicide, Gauteng police said.
Lt Col Katlego Mogale said the body of Holland, 64, was found by her gardener at 10.10am at her home in Melville.
- Complete story: Times LIVE
As noted on her Wikipedia page, Holland was a Zimbabwean who had published in many of the English-speaking world’s major newspapers. Her reputation as a dogged, tough-as-nails investigator and formidable personality preceded her. The relish she took in stirring things up made her a favourite attraction at literary festivals.
Writing in the Sunday Independent, her close friend and colleague Fiona Forde cast doubt on the theory that Holland took her own life:
Last Wednesday was no different, except that Heidi already had dinner plans but we chatted for a couple of hours before she skipped out of the guesthouse at about 6.45pm and into the freezing cold.
“I will see you for breakfast in the morning, doll,” she said, in her chirpy tone as she buttoned up her jacket, put her bag over her shoulder and left.
But when morning came there was no sign of Heidi. Her staff told me she had dropped by at 7am to leave a note for me. “Sorry I won’t see you for breakfast, doll,” the note read. “I have to see the doctor. But I will see you soon. Hx”.
Heidi didn’t return to the guesthouse that day, Women’s Day. She didn’t show up on Friday either.
- Complete story: IOL
According to Forde, Holland was writing a new book, whose working title was I’m Not Racist, But…
Academic and politician Wilmot James issued a statement upon learning of Holland’s death:
When I put together the 2008 protest meeting against Mugabe’s excesses at the University of Cape Town as part of the Ford Foundation funded Difficult Dialogues programme, Ms. Holland unhesitatingly joined the courageous panel of moral critics including Emeritus Archibishop Desmond Tutu and Dr Mamphela Ramphele.
- Complete statement: Politicsweb
Holland’s passing was also remarked upon in her native Zimbabwe this weekend.
Southern African politics, it’s safe to say, was Holland’s favourite subject. Earlier this year, she wrote a strongly-worded article on the state of the ANC as the party marked its centenary. And here’s Holland reading from her “psychography” of the region’s most galvanising political personality, Dinner with Mugabe:
- Not playing? Watch on Books LIVE TV
We’ve lost a unique, brash, unblushing personality. Holland will be missed. Books LIVE extends condolences to her family and her publishers, Penguin Books.
Book details
- Dinner with Mugabe: The Untold Story of a Freedom Fighter Who Became a Tyrant by Heidi Holland
EAN: 9780143026181
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- The Colour of Murder: One family’s horror exposes a nation’s anguish by Heidi Holland
EAN: 9780143025122
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- African Magic: Traditional Ideas That Heal a Continent by Heidi Holland
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EAN: 9780143527350
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- 100 Years of Struggle: Mandela’s ANC by Heidi Holland
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EAN: 9780143528791
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- From Joburg to Jozi: Stories About Africa’s Infamous City edited by Heidi Holland, Adam Roberts
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EAN: 9780143026280
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Apr
