Do you think your book sets the record straight and answers all the questions surrounding Kebble’s allegedly shady business deals?
Yes. The book unpacks Brett Kebble’s major transactions, starting in October 1996. Most of these deals have never been exposed in the public domain, at least not on a see-through basis. In order to spare the reader from further huge detail, there are a number of sub-stories that I cut from the published manuscript, such as events at the scandal-ridden South African Fishing Corporation (Safco). These smaller stories followed the modus operandi of the bigger ones.
How has the book been received by the Kebble family and the business industry?
The book was not written for the Kebble family. Brett Kebble, and his father, Roger Kebble, were two of five directors of Randgold & Exploration who sued me, in my personal capacity, for defamation, in 1997. They dropped the case a few days before it was due to go on trial, in 1998, which I found incredibly frustrating. Brett Kebble was the only one of the five directors who apologized to me, and even then, it was an indirect apology. Roger Kebble has never said a word to me in his life.
What impact has the book had on your life?
My suspicions about Kebble were founded and confirmed early in 1997. Everything after that only further confirmed my suspicions. There were also Kebble’s activities outside the formal business sector. The writing of the book itself amounted to nothing neither more nor less than taking an assignment to the absolute edge. I am not more cynical, just better informed than before.
How long did it take you to do the research on the book?
I was “researching” the book (not that I knew I would write it until September 2005) since October 1996 when that first big Kebble transaction hit the markets. Zebra, the publishers, asked me to write the book; Kebble’s death did not change the course of the book, it prompted its writing. His death was, of course, a huge shock.
Would it be fair to say that the timing of the book’s release, so soon after his death, increases its chances to become a best seller?
I never thought of this as a best seller. I agreed to write the book because I felt that anyone who read the story would have the opportunity to enrich their knowledge and expand their experience of life.
How do you think Kebble would have reacted to the book?
After the court case against me was dropped in 1998, the dust settled after a year or two and I subsequently met with Kebble on many occasions, and spoke with him on telephone or mobile telephone. I gained substantial insight into his concerns, plans, fears and ambitions. We were cordial associates, and he was fully aware that I would always give him an ear.
From July 5 until September 26, the day before Kebble was murdered, I wrote nearly 30 articles. During this period of nearly three months, while Kebble wanted to know what he had done to “upset me,” he never questioned the accuracy or fairness of the articles. In my opinion, my book is scrupulously fair to everyone mentioned in it, and as such, I think Kebble would have regarded the book as fair.
Describe your book in three words.
Robust, mind-expanding and explosive.