The 2025 Chronicle

wife, Carol, Nick moved to Cape Town, where he enjoyed extensive coverage in South African newspapers, radio and magazines. His focus was on complex financial frauds, Ponzi schemes and cor porate corruption. His work often human ised the victims, focusing on the person al toll that fraud took on everyday people. Amongst his most notable achievements was his coverage of financial scandals in South Africa, particularly the Master bond fraud in the 1990s. Nick won three Artes awards for best na tional news reporting at the SABC, and was nominated for two others. He was also named the Sanlam financial report er of the year for his Masterbond cover age, cementing his place as one of South Africa’s top investigative journalists. In the late 1990s, Nick parted from Carol, with whom he had a much-loved daughter, Phillipa. He then moved on to semi-retirement, writing his two books while living between Cape Town, Go nubie and Knysna. Fifteen years as a bachelor was a period he enjoyed enor mously. During this period, Nick managed local and international media for the 2010 Soccer World Cup and drafted the initial Cape Town World Cup close-out report.

Those who knew Nick well would agree that when he told a story, particularly when revealing and recounting a scandal involving some ghastly, devious, fraudu lent crooks, his eyes would sparkle and a hint of a smile would light up his face. Somehow, when he spoke on the radio or wrote, the same sentiments were con veyed. This, and the enjoyment he de rived from following his journalistic and writing passion, made Nick a great. In his semi-retirement he had the time and space to write two books. He also ventured into another marriage, which ended in 2016. Nick was passionate about wildlife conservation, and this was the driving force behind his first novel, Saving the Queen , which was published on 22 March 2014. The book is centred on the poaching crisis in South Africa and the urgent need to protect the black rhino. In 2017 he published his second nov el, A Gift from Allah . This book, based on fact and scandal, tells the story of the 2007 breach of security at Pelinda ba for what was suspected as the theft of weapons-grade uranium, and the involvement of individuals within the South African government. Many today agree that Nick’s two books

are exceptional – great reading, and topical then and today. Unfortunately, both were self-published on a shoestring budget and didn’t receive the profes sional publicity and marketing they so deserved. Both books are in the Michael house archive library. As a Michaelhouse leaver of 1964, Nick reconnected with other “64s” at Old Boys’ days in 2014, 2018, 2019, 2023 and finally in 2024. Each reunion was memorable, not just for the special bonds of that year’s boys, but Nick al ways entertained us with songs, while strumming his guitar; and on a couple of occasions, he was accompanied by Graham and Des. In 2018, Nick quietly revealed he had been in contact with his first love, Debbie, who had been married and widowed twice. The early first love was rekindled. He moved to Durban and they married in 2019. In April 2023 Nick travelled to Sydney to spend time with his son, Alex, and to meet his grandson, Finn. On his return, Nick was struggling with cancer but de cided not to undergo chemotherapy. He passed away in November 2024 surrounded by loved ones and Debbie. “Save the last dance for me” came true. This tribute is from his lifelong friends.

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