Deon Meyer, one of South Africa's best and most respected crime writers, received an NWU Alumni Award in 2015. His 11 novels have been translated into 27 languages.When Deon Meyer visits Klerksdorp, he drives past the house where he grew up and becomes annoyed when he sees that the new owners have planted new trees.

“One feels nostalgia for the way things used to look and feel, and then you become irritated when you see that it has changed,” he says.

Deon, well-known author of crime thrillers, has just finished his latest book (with the working title, "Fever"), which should be available in stores by August. Although he is enjoying a well-deserved break, the idea for a new story is already brewing.

Ink in his veins

“All I can do is write; I suspect there may be ink coursing through my veins," jokes Deon, an alumnus of the former Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education (PU for CHE), today the Potchefstroom Campus of the NWU.

His writing career began in the newsroom of a paper. He was almost lost to the world of suspense literature because he wanted to become a teacher. In 1978 he enrolled for a BA with English and geography as majors at the then PU for CHE. In his second year, he changed his major from geography to history.

His interest in teaching was inspired by Ben Griesel and Valerie du Bruyn, teachers at Hoërskool Schoonspruit in Klerksdorp, where he matriculated. They made a deep impression on him and he was inspired to follow in their footsteps.

“But then, along with Theuns Eloff and other students, I became involved with a project in the township where we helped black matriculants to pass matric during those tumultuous times. In the process I found out that teaching was not for me after all.”

Poetry and serenading

Deon began writing while still at university. Together, he and classmate Ralph Rabie – who later became known as Johannes Kerkorrel – started an English poetry journal on campus which featured both their work (“his poems were far better than mine,” Deon says).

He remembers his student days with nostalgia, although he had to work hard to pay his way. He funded his studies himself, so he spent Thursday and Friday evenings – and all day on Saturdays and Sundays – working at the Spur in Klerksdorp; first as a waiter, then griller and later as manager.

“Maybe that is why most of my better stories are about this student job. I was often much too tired to play pranks in the residence during the week,” he laughs.

However, there was always time for "innocent" student fun. Like the time when a throne chair belonging to the Elgro Hotel almost disappeared, corridor two in Hombré residence (“I was too pretty for Caput”) held water games on sopping wet floors (not just in the bathrooms), and late-night sêr (serenades) at the women's residences.

“Prof Gert van den Berg at history was an amazing storyteller, and, of course, Prof Dap Louw at psychology, whom I still consult on matters of forensic psychology.”Deon and his second-year roommate, Reinhard Eubel, were both in the airforce choir and concert group, (the Canaries), and were well known for their night-time serenades under bedroom windows.

How lecturers influenced him

“And, of course, there was the privilege of excellent lecturers. Prof Annette Combrink unknowingly exerted quite an influence on my writing career when she saw me reading books by the American crime writer, Ed McBain, and remarked that she also enjoyed his work and that McBain had literary merit"

A lot has happened since then and last year the NWU honoured him as an outstanding alumnus. Deon is considered one of South Africa's best and most respected crime writers. He began writing full time in 2009 and has published 11 novels and two volumes of short stories.

And, since he has ink flowing in his veins, readers can rest assured that his pen is far from dry.