I’m leaving – but not on a jet plane

I am often asked what I enjoy the most about my job.

It is a very difficult question to answer, simply because I love it. Every single bit of it. I love the challenges, the weirdos, and believe me, we have plenty of them in the area, the funny people and even the rude ones, because they remind me to bite my tongue every time they lose their cool.

If I had to pick out the least pleasant stories we handled, one of them would definitely be the Pelser case, and the brutality of the murder. Then there is the case of little Lee Mentoor, who has been ‘missing’ for a year. I also remember the tragic accident when four teenagers were killed by an allegedly drunken taxi driver, and the story of the baby that was stolen out of a hospital, and never found.

Some of the nicer things we dealt with were the many lives we (hopefully) touched with the community projects the Record ran. I think the most rewarding, and tearful, moment was when the very first family we helped to get back on their feet called and said they are doing fine and thank you.

Why am I reminiscing, you ask? Because I am trading my house in the bush for a place at the sea. Amanzimtoti to be exact. I will be heading up the two Caxton papers at the South Coast from 1 April.

I’m excited, nervous, exhausted from arranging a long-distance move – again, and did I mention nervous? I had no idea it would be this difficult to bid the West Rand farewell this time, because the West Rand is home, you know? I grew up here, went to school in Krugersdorp, made some awesome friends (and I’m sure a few enemies), but the West Rand remains home.

I also have to thank each and every person who walked into my life and made it better. Thank you to those who religiously read my Editor’s Columns (and commented on them) and thank you for trusting me with your innermost heartaches and pain.

I greet you one last time. God bless you, my friends. You will always have a special place in my heart.

Stay safe, remain vigilant and remember, take care of one another.