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Being Chris Hani's Daughter
When Chris Hani was assassinated in his driveway in April 1993, he left a shocked and grieving South Africa, teetering on the precipice of civil war. But to 12-year-old Lindiwe Hani, it was the love of her life, her daddy, who had been brutally ripped from her world. While the nation continued to revere her father’s legacy, for Lindiwe, being Chris Hani’s daughter became an increasingly heavy burden to bear, propelling her into a downward spiral of cocaine and alcohol addiction in a desperate attempt to avoid the pain of his brutal parting.
In this intimate and revealing memoir, Lindiwe faces her demons, not just those that haunted her through her addiction but, with the courage that comes with sobriety, she comes face-to-face with her father’s two killers. The book reveals the private meetings she had with both Clive Derby-Lewis before he succumbed to cancer in November 2016, and Janusz Walus, who is still serving a life sentence for her father’s assassination. It also includes extracts of the last interview with Chris Hani by historian Luli Callinicos.
In this intimate and revealing memoir, Lindiwe faces her demons, not just those that haunted her through her addiction but, with the courage that comes with sobriety, she comes face-to-face with her father’s two killers. The book reveals the private meetings she had with both Clive Derby-Lewis before he succumbed to cancer in November 2016, and Janusz Walus, who is still serving a life sentence for her father’s assassination. It also includes extracts of the last interview with Chris Hani by historian Luli Callinicos.
256 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2017
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114 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 12, 2023
This was both a heart and gut wrenching read. Lindiwe Hani is one of the bravest and most courageous people I know.
Walus’ recent release is what implored me to pick this book up and it sure was a worthwhile read. Lindiwe’s life has been marred with more pain than one individual should experience. Considering the dynamics with her mother, the weight of her father’s legacy…penning this down was a very very brave act.
The level of detail, right down to the exact dates and names of places regarding her father both made me sad and inspired. Much of what she knows about her dad is through extensive research done at a later stage in her life, as she was so young when he was slain.
This book also made me ponder on how effective were reform initiatives such as the TRC after apartheid had ended. When other nations seem to have explored much more punitive initiatives It almost feels likes the African continent’s initiatives are merely a slap on the wrist to perpetrators who brought unimaginable pain, the pain whose consequences are still far reaching and felt even till today.
The amount of courage Lindiwe had to conjure up to meet the perpetrators behind her dad’s death is one that is simply admirable. The liberation of this country was gained at such a deep cost & this book emphasises that.
Chris Hani was and still is a remarkable icon. It is often easy to forget that beyond that status are his other roles: a doting dad, beloved husband, sibling, brother and friend. And that to his nuclear family & extended family, and community of friends their loss runs deeper than we could ever imagine.
This is a story that absolutely deserves to be heard and shared. Lindiwe Hani, you’re a courageous being, a heartfelt thank you for sharing your story.
Walus’ recent release is what implored me to pick this book up and it sure was a worthwhile read. Lindiwe’s life has been marred with more pain than one individual should experience. Considering the dynamics with her mother, the weight of her father’s legacy…penning this down was a very very brave act.
The level of detail, right down to the exact dates and names of places regarding her father both made me sad and inspired. Much of what she knows about her dad is through extensive research done at a later stage in her life, as she was so young when he was slain.
This book also made me ponder on how effective were reform initiatives such as the TRC after apartheid had ended. When other nations seem to have explored much more punitive initiatives It almost feels likes the African continent’s initiatives are merely a slap on the wrist to perpetrators who brought unimaginable pain, the pain whose consequences are still far reaching and felt even till today.
The amount of courage Lindiwe had to conjure up to meet the perpetrators behind her dad’s death is one that is simply admirable. The liberation of this country was gained at such a deep cost & this book emphasises that.
Chris Hani was and still is a remarkable icon. It is often easy to forget that beyond that status are his other roles: a doting dad, beloved husband, sibling, brother and friend. And that to his nuclear family & extended family, and community of friends their loss runs deeper than we could ever imagine.
This is a story that absolutely deserves to be heard and shared. Lindiwe Hani, you’re a courageous being, a heartfelt thank you for sharing your story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2017
I literally could not put it down. This book absolutely consumed me for 28hours. No politics just an honest account of loving, fighting, winning,losing,death, growing and finally moving on. You find yourself willing Lindi on, falling & getting up with her, stumbling on "Just For Today".
I thoroughly enjoyed this read and enjoyed the honesty and valiant truth with which she allowed us into her personal space & struggle. It's not about her father or her family; honestly it's her story.
Brilliant.
I thoroughly enjoyed this read and enjoyed the honesty and valiant truth with which she allowed us into her personal space & struggle. It's not about her father or her family; honestly it's her story.
Brilliant.
April 14, 2020
Great book,also got to know more about Chris Hani.He was really a powerful man.I thank Lindi for sharing her story with us.
What I learnt from this book is that politicians are human too and as a child born in 1994 I am glad to have learnt more about Chris Hani and the role he played in ending Apartheid.Thank u Lindiwe again for this book
What I learnt from this book is that politicians are human too and as a child born in 1994 I am glad to have learnt more about Chris Hani and the role he played in ending Apartheid.Thank u Lindiwe again for this book
May 25, 2020
I have wanted this book for a long time after I had watched an interview Lindi did with Anele on Real Talk. It was worth all the trouble and I could not put it down.I literally could picture Lindi as a child growing up in Lesotho and then relocating to South Africa during the prime apartheid years and I loved how she gave such a beautiful insight into who Chris Hani was outside of the political borders. I literally sobbed when he was gunned down and how her sister blamed herself for it and when she described the scene at the mortuary my heart broke again because it reminded me of when we had to go view my Mom's body for the last time. You are amazing and thank you for sharing your precious memories of your Daddy with us and I'm terrible sorry for the loss of your Dad and sister.
August 18, 2017
Is it really for us to judge the senseless killing of an icon comrade Chris Hani? When afterall we were not the affected ones. Only Mpho Hani and her family can judge.
Lindiwe Hani is a very inspiring woman.
Lindiwe Hani is a very inspiring woman.
July 23, 2018
I loved that this book was about Lindiwe and the courage she had when facing her father's killers. I could relate to her setting boundaries with her mother which can be extremely difficult. A brilliant read.
December 11, 2021
WOW!! I bought this book in 2019 and has been sitting in my book shelf until this afternoon I picked it up and could not put it down!!
Thank you Lindiwe Hani for your vulnerability and sharing your story, thank you Melinda Ferguson.
Wow all I have to say ITS A MUST READ
Thank you Lindiwe Hani for your vulnerability and sharing your story, thank you Melinda Ferguson.
Wow all I have to say ITS A MUST READ
May 27, 2017
A great read that felt so completely honest and humble. I related to Lindiwe on so many levels. Amazed at how forgiving and mature she was when meeting her dad's killers.
November 22, 2017
loved loved and loved this book. I could actually picture lindiwe as I was reading it from when she was a baby to when she is old.
April 15, 2025
as someone who studies history and was born and raised in south africa,i am surprised that this the first time i am hearing about chris hani but then again i am only 16
April 28, 2017
"Just for today" is the recurring theme upon which Lindiwe premises her triumph over her demons. Her journey is relatable, her story is not unique but is unique to her. Lindiwe is able to capture the reader from the first paragraph making it impossible to put the book down. She paints a clear picture of the ebbs and flows of her life. Hers is a need to live in a world that is forcing her to exist. She finally draws on her own authenticity and takes the first step towards her Now. Her relationship with her sister Momo is evident in each encounter she retraces with her. In the end Lindiwe chooses herself-she is Lindi before being her fathers daughter.
I went to the CPT book launch with no expectations. When the session concluded I could hardly breathe. Lindiwe had forced me to challenge the writers block that has plaughed me for the past few years. I left knowing that no story can be told without going into the darkness that created it-true mastery is learning to tell that story from the light and not allowing it to darken you again. Thank you Lindiwe.
I went to the CPT book launch with no expectations. When the session concluded I could hardly breathe. Lindiwe had forced me to challenge the writers block that has plaughed me for the past few years. I left knowing that no story can be told without going into the darkness that created it-true mastery is learning to tell that story from the light and not allowing it to darken you again. Thank you Lindiwe.
June 20, 2017
An intelligently composed story of not just recovery, but healing, reconciliation and compassion. I could not have imagined that Lindiwe Hani could bring so much closure to doors that held me back through telling her story and opening up about what being a daughter to a political dedicated man Chris Hani meant.
My daughter is gonna read this treasure.
My daughter is gonna read this treasure.
March 27, 2018
i really liked the book till about the time she went to rehab.. became a little too boojie for my liking and the story just kind of drifted from there on.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews