Rudie van Rensburg

Rudie van Rensburg is a South African author of crime fiction novels. He is also an accomplished artist, painter, and playwright. Born in Bloemfontein in 1951, he attended Central High School in the city before pursuing higher education. He furthered his education at Unisa, obtaining a degree in communication science, and later earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of the Free State. In the 1970s, Rudie embarked on a career in journalism, initially joining Die Volksblad as a journalist. However, he transitioned to entrepreneurship by co-founding and becoming a publisher of Bloemnuus, a pioneering free weekly paper in the Free State. Although the publication eventually ceased operations, it left a mark on the local media landscape. Rudie’s journey continued as he became the editor of Die Ekonoom, a prominent nationwide business magazine. His association with the University of the Free State’s public relations bureau showcased his diverse skill set. In 1987, he shifted gears and moved to Cape Town, joining Sanlam, a prominent financial services group. During his two-decade tenure at Sanlam, Rudie served as a senior manager overseeing advertising, held positions as head of promotions and sponsorships, and published their customer magazine. Rudie van Rensburg made his debut in the English language with Piranha in 2020. He had published many different novels in Afrikaans up to that point, including his award-winning debut novel Slagyster in 2013. Below is a list of Rudie van Rensburg’s books in order of when they were originally released: