DIENAAR VAN DIE WAARHIED

904pp., b/w & colour illus., paperback, Turksvy, Cape Town, 2024

ISBN: 9780796173263

A biography of former Judge André Stephan Botha by his son, Afrikaans author and journalist MC Botha.

Part 1 covers the history of the Botha family. Botha's ancestors were among the first "trekboere" to leave the Cape Colony in the 17th century.

Part 2 is a biography of AS Botha and focuses on his philosophy, his career as an advocate and judge, and his relationships with colleagues such as Louis Harms, Peet Nienaber, Craig Howie, Pik Botha, Rit van Rooyen, Piet van der Walt en Chris de Jager. It explores the challenges the family faced when his sister Lynette fell in love with and later married Lingam Moodley, one of the accused in the 1975 State vs Cooper terrorism trial. As a Senior Appeal Judge Botha was involved in the case of the Sharpeville Six and the charge of kidnapping brought against Winnie Mandela.

MC Botha is editor of Hermanus Times. He has published collections of short stories, plays, three novels and travel writing.