It appears that Chris Nissen himself applied for this position as no nomination forms accompany his documents on the Parliamentary website. He claims in his application to be a fit and proper person that has experience as a struggle veteran and experience in working in government. He also notes his knowledge of  Khoisan persons and his religious background as a useful asset to the Commission. He worked for the ANC until serving as Provincial MEC 1994 - 1999 and since 2000 until present he has been a businessman. 

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Recently in January 2015 he has been in the news when he was arrested and held for drunken driving in his Porsche SUV in Cape Town over the weekend.

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In 2005, as South Atlantic Fishing Company, Safco chair, he was a partner in a failed business venture with Brett Kebble. Allegations of broken promises, dodgy licence applications and attempts to use political influence swirl around Safco, an empowerment firm set up by Kebble on JCI to hunt tuna and swordfish off the west coast.

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In 2009 Chris Nissen had the unfortunate experience of being mentioned in a Wikileaks cable where it published details how in 2009, he and local businessmen discussed with American consular staff factionalism within the ANC.

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Currently he listed as Chairperson of Sea Harvest. He has held many other directorships such as in Standard, Randgold, Golden Arrow, Woolworths etc. He also serves as Director of Sponges Carwash & Valet Center.

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Despite being detained numerous times in the 1980's, been a UDF leader in the WC and organizer in the  Karoo area and being the office Manager of WC ANC from 1990 - 1994, it is unclear from Chris Nissen's CV if he continued any other community work since establishing himself in business in 2000. There is no clear demonstrable broad knowledge of human rights detailed in his CV. 

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