I have made many important decisions in my lifetime. Two life-changing decisions to bring two wonderful children, Chulumanco and Bukhobethu, into this world required long and hard thinking.
But resolving to leave Grahamstown and therefore Grocott’s Mail is probably the most difficult decision I’ve ever had to make.
I have made many important decisions in my lifetime. Two life-changing decisions to bring two wonderful children, Chulumanco and Bukhobethu, into this world required long and hard thinking.
But resolving to leave Grahamstown and therefore Grocott’s Mail is probably the most difficult decision I’ve ever had to make.
Leaving behind a loving family like mine can never be a joyful experience. Saying goodbye to my mother, brothers and my children is going to be a painful experience. Bidding farewell to my other family at Grocott’s is bound to be just as hard. Hopefully there’ll be no tears shed.
Sure, I will meet new people and make new friends in Cape Town. I’ll probably even develop close bonds with my new employers and colleagues at Cape Times. But it’s not going to be the same.
Working at Grocott’s for the past three years has been a helluva experience. Like life, it’s been up and down. But I will take with me mostly wonderful memories. Working at Grocott’s has helped me grow, not only as a journalist but also as a leader. Winning an award in 2007 was icing on the cake. I’ve created close friendships with many of my colleagues and Grocott’s Mail readers.
In the office, we worked hard but also had fun. The end-year parties we had were great, although it seems I am leaving (sadly) without tasting Steve’s promised turkey. Steve, you’re not off the hook yet, I’ll come back for that turkey even if it means going a.w.o.l!
There were some weird occasions. I will never forget the sight of disgruntled readers torching a copy of this newspaper or an enraged subscriber storming into our newsroom, shredding a copy of Grocott’s Mail into pieces in reaction to our front page photographs.
There were sombre moments. Losing a friend and colleague in Madikane Jelu earlier this year, dealt me and Grocott’s a heavy blow. The passing of another colleague Kirsty “Casey” Cordell, hardly a month later, left me and the staff dumbfounded. But as earlier stated, it was not all doom and gloom.
I’ve been fortunate to work with two great editors Steven Lang and Jonathan Ancer who have taught me so much about this important craft. I’d like to thank Grocott’s Mail’s general manager Louise Vale for believing in me. But I must also say thank-you to someone who introduced me to the world of practical journalism. Mike Loewe, my first ever editor, shaped my journalism career and I will be forever thankful. I am going to miss the amazing relationships I’ve developed with the many readers of this important community newspaper.
But there comes a point in one’s life when change is inevitable. This is most likely the turning point of my career as a journalist and hence I’m grabbing the opportunity with both hands. It’s sad to say goodbye to my small town of birth but I look forward to a bigger city, bigger stories and an exciting life.
