10 Facts About Rian Malan

Rian Malan is a South African author, journalist, documentarist and songwriter of Afrikaner descent.

Rian Malan first rose to prominence as the author of the memoir My Traitor's Heart, which, like the bulk of his work, deals with South African society in a historical and contemporary perspective and focuses on racial relations.

Rian Malan attended Blairgowrie Primary School in Randburg where one of his contemporaries was the columnist, Jani Allan.

Rian Malan then attended Woodmead School, South Africa's first non-racially based high school.

Rian Malan has described how, as a teenager, he formed a rock band that associated with black artists and wanted to rebel against the apartheid system, at a time when he in fact had virtually no interaction with black people.

Rian Malan began his journalistic career in 1975, as a reporter for The Star.

Rian Malan reveals that Linda never received any royalties for the song; however, an ensuing court case established that 25 percent of the song's past and future royalties should go to Linda's three daughters.

Rian Malan has generated controversy by repeatedly questioning the seriousness and scope of AIDS in Africa.

Rian Malan's hypothesis was roundly criticised by national and international AIDS organisations, and Malan was accused of endangering lives in Africa.

Rian Malan has released a CD of his own songs, titled Alien Inboorling.