Latest news with #POST
IOL News
16 hours ago
- Politics
- IOL News
POST is about putting people before profits
The Indian Opinion founded by Mahatma Gandhi in South Africa in 1903 Image: Supplied EVER wonder why this newspaper that you are reading, the POST, is persevering against overwhelming odds to make sure it gets onto the streets each week. When so many titles locally and around the world have shut shop, why is the POST still publishing? It is well-known that print readership has plummeted over the past decade - a situation worsened by the Covid-19 pandemic - and readers have migrated online, preferring instant access to news via websites and social media. And the POST has not escaped this phenomenon. However, Independent Media, which owns this newspaper, is all too aware that newspapers are more than just businesses - they are the custodians of truth, the guardians of local identity, and the chroniclers of history. Thus when one fights against all odds to keep publishing, it's often for reasons that go far beyond profit. Video Player is loading. 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Next Stay Close ✕ The launch of the POST's new baby, POST PLUS, a free community-focused publication that will be delivered every Thursday, door-to-door, to 80 000 homes in Chatsworth and Phoenix, is more than an initiative strategised by bean counters. Of course, with such a large number of copies of POST PLUS in circulation, advertisers will naturally be attracted like bees to honey. But while the added revenue will help to pay the bills, keeping the POST flag flying is a project that is committed to putting people before profits. Unlike government mouthpieces, independent journalism holds power to account. In communities where voices are suppressed or misinformation is widespread, a newspaper can be a last line of defence for truth. Since March 1955 when POST's predecessor Golden City Post was launched, this newspaper has weaved itself into the community's social fabric by documenting everyday triumphs, struggles, and milestones. It has given the Indian community its own voice, while celebrating this group's culture, and fostering a shared sense of belonging. During the apartheid era, laws were designed to protect the racist government from exposure and control what people read, heard and saw. The POST had to carefully negotiate a minefield of legislation that restricted the publication of information about banned liberation movements. However, by reflecting in the main the emotions of the Indian community - its sorrows, pain and pangs as well as its passions, delights and pride - this weekly continued to remain relevant even during the dark days. For seven decades, the POST has kept its finger tightly on the pulse of the community and continued dishing out editorial and advertisements of greatest relevance to those of Indian descent. But at a time when we are all striving to be one people, and for the sake of unity don't want to see differences in each other, is there a place for newspapers that cater for a particular community? Yes, there is, if only to preserve and sustain cultural heritage. Indian media is the lifeblood of Indian culture. The culture that has been passed from generation to generation since the indentured workers or girmitiyas landed in this country as slave labour, is a vibrant mosaic woven from thousands of years of history, philosophy, and tradition. Locally, there are religions with temples, mosques and churches; deep-rooted concepts like karma, dharma and reincarnation; festivals and celebrations such as Diwali, Holi, Navaratri and Eid; cuisine with fiery curries, yummy breyani, and sweetmeats; traditional clothing such as saris, salwar kameez and kurta-pyjamas; classical dance forms like Bharatanatyam and Kathak; music ranging from Carnatic and Hindustani classical to Bollywood and folk traditions; and joint and multigenerational families. Incidentally, as I am writing this column in English, I am listening to the Tamil song Thunbam Nergayil in raga Desh on Spotify. The lyrics by poet Bharatidasan tell how the travails of our lives can be lessened by Tamil poetry, song, dance and wisdom. Back to Indian newspapers. When lawyer Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, later to be known as the Mahatma, was in South Africa, he launched the Indian Opinion, which, during its 60-year spell, exposed the harshness of racism. Before the Indian Opinion, there was The Indian World, which was established in 1898. Three years later, in 1901, a Tamil newspaperman, PS Aiyar founded a bilingual Tamil-English paper Colonial Indian News, which was published weekly. A year later, in 1902, he founded another publication called The African Chronicle. Between the 1940s and 1970s, other local Indian newspapers also galvanised the Indian community's rightful place under the South African sun, by aligning with the anti-apartheid struggle. Durban-based Indian publications The Leader and The Graphic were instrumental in creating an Indian identity by staking the political position of the community. Given the low budgets available for production, the standard of layout and printing of these two stalwart tabloids were not great, but with good writing The Leader and The Graphic made for serious political reads. The editorials by founder Dhanee Bramdaw and editor/columnist Ranji Nowbath in The Leader and by founder Kannabiran Pillay and editor/columnist Pat Poovalingam in The Graphic, mirrored the political agenda of the Natal Indian Congress and each week clearly articulated the political aspirations of Indians in their pages. In days gone by, no self-respecting Indian worker dare come home on Friday evenings without oily brown paper bags of bhajia, boondhi, sev and nuts from Victory Lounge under one arm and the POST, The Leader or The Graphic under the other. By the way, I am content to boast that I cut my journalistic teeth on The Graphic. Our Constitution safeguards diversity by recognising the linguistic and cultural differences of people. Thus, having niched publications to cover community-specific issues is not necessarily tantamount to practising editorial racism. It reflects a nation's diversity. In any case, non-niche publications such as the Daily News and Mercury generally give stories with an Indian flavour a wide berth, unless they are scandalous or sensational. It is worth mentioning that when The Mercury on Thursday November 22, 1860, announced the arrival of the first batch of indentured labourers on the SS Truro on its front page under the headline 'The Coolies Are Here', it stated as follows: 'They were a queer, comical, foreign looking, very Oriental like crowd. The men with their huge muslin turbans, bare scraggy shin bones, and coloured garments, the women with their flashing eyes, long dishevelled pitchy hair, with their half covered well-formed figures, and their keen inquisitive glances, the children with their meagre, intelligent, cute and humorous countenances mounted on bodies of unconscionable fragility, were all evidently beings of a different race and kind to any we have yet seen either in Africa or England.' Today, 165 years later, we no longer look foreign. We are part and parcel of South African society. Our shin bones are well fleshed out. Our women do not have 'flashy eyes' and certainly have beautiful, well-groomed hair. Our children are not skinny. Of course, they have not just come ashore after spending six weeks on the open deck of a ship with wretched food, and minimum sanitation and ablution facilities. Noteworthy is that the reason for the existence of the POST, the Rising Sun and The Tabloid stables of free community newspapers, and now POST PLUS, lies deeper than race, and rather in lifestyle, the emotional bond that a historically immigrant group has with its motherland, and the fears associated with minority groups. Cultural authenticity and the forces of tradition and heritage need not be sacrificed at the altar of modernity or political correctness. The world over, there is a strong argument for the relevance and popularity of newspapers - and other media platforms such as radio and television - that target a specific community. The Zulu middle-class newspaper Isolezwe, has a loyal readership because of its niche market. The Indian has a right to enjoy that which appeals to him or her. And is also happy to share with others. Not for nothing that Willards produces 'Bunny Chow Crinkle Cut Chips' and Woolies stocks 'Halaal dhania lamb sausage' spiced with chilli for a strong bite. Yogin Devan Image: File Yogin Devan is a media consultant and social commentator. Reach him on: yogind@ ** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media. THE POST
CBS News
3 days ago
- CBS News
"It's a balancing act": Minnesota police manage chases while protecting drivers
WCCO Investigates is looking at safety on the roads after a recent high-speed chase through the streets of Ramsey County. Deputies reported on Saturday that a 32-year-old Brooklyn Center man driving a pick-up truck fled deputies during a traffic stop near the Hugo-Forest Lake border. The driver was clocked at speeds exceeding 100 mph, with Ramsey County deputies joining the chase on southbound Interstate 35E. Deputies released stop strips, but dashcam footage shows the suspect didn't stop or even slow down as the truck left behind a trail of sparks. The driver eventually lost control, hit a guardrail and rolled to a stop in the ditch near Interstate 694 and Snelling Avenue in Roseville. He was taken into custody, as well as his passenger, a North Branch woman, 27, who had outstanding warrants in Ramsey County, the sheriff's office said. Authorities also say a gunshot was heard near I-35E and Highway 96 during the chase, and a handgun was later spotted on the interstate in the area and recovered. "[A deputy] photographed it and recovered it — meaning more charges could be coming, just as fast as that truck and sparks were flying," the sheriff's office wrote in a Facebook post. There is no one-size-fits-all police on chases in Minnesota; each agency has its own rules of engagement when it comes to pursuits. Those protocols, however, are based on a model from the Minnesota Board of Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST), which was last updated in 2024. One provision states that an officer can start a pursuit when the risk of letting the suspect go outweighs the risk to other drivers on the road. The officer or trooper behind the wheel must also keep evaluating those risks and decide whether there's still a good chance of even catching the person they're after. "It's a balancing act, right? As law enforcement officers, we all have a duty to uphold the law, but we also have a duty in the mission of traffic safety," Captain Brian Cheney with the Minnesota Highway Patrol explained to WCCO Investigates. "Is it a controlled access roadway where there are no cross-streets and intersections? Is there less risk as opposed to a freeway in the Twin Cities, where they exit off a ramp and the first thing you come to is a busy intersection?" Across the state, police have engaged in 7,044 pursuits over the last three years, according to data from the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension that was analyzed by WCCO Investigates. The top reasons for pursuits included traffic violations (56.7%), stolen vehicle (13.6%), felony (6.4%), warrant (4.2%) and DUI (4.1%). The vast majority of chases (70%) took place between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., and nearly 90% of them lasted less than 10 minutes, while more than half of all pursuits in the last three years (54%) ended without an arrest of the driver. "Our complete mission is traffic safety," Cheney added. "When we really look at travel safety, that has to play into it." Data shows that 98.5% of all pursuits end without injury, but nearly a third result in some property damage, most often to the violator's car. "There is no pursuit if the person doesn't flee," Cheney quipped. "I go back to just a traffic stop. Pull over. You might get a ticket. Go on about your day just as you were before." All first responders must pass advanced driving courses for their certifications, but some police and sheriff cadets train in what's called the PIT maneuver, which involves making contact with the suspect's vehicle at a particular point to spin them out. WCCO was given special access to PIT training at The Precision Driving Center of Minnesota at St. Cloud State University. "We are not hitting vehicles out of the way. We are pushing vehicles out of the way," instructor Greg Newinski explained to WCCO Investigates. "We are pushing the back end of the vehicle to break it loose, spin it around, disable it so the person can be apprehended." A pursuit intervention technique, or PIT, can actually refer to any number of strategies to end a pursuit, including spike strips or roadblocks, but state data shows troopers choose to perform the PIT maneuver more than any other technique in a chase. "We're making contact with the car in a very soft way," Newinski insisted. "You need to have the training to do it safely. You can't just go and do this." The training includes two hours in the classroom and then six hours on the range, and while it's not exactly rocket science, there are physics involved. Newinski cautioned that the most challenging skill, however, is the ability to think critically and stay calm. "It's building that muscle memory of what to do," he said. "All our lives we're told not to make contact with other vehicles and now we're telling you to make contact with another vehicle." All police officers and sheriff's deputies must complete an advanced driving skills refresh every five years to keep their peace officer license active. Those with PIT certification will also do that with their refresher course."Stephen Swanson contributed to this report.
IOL News
7 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Challenging tradition: Indian youth demand change from community leaders
Brandon Pillay Image: Supplied AN OPEN letter has criticised community elders for failing to mentor and empower the next generation, sparking a debate about leadership and succession for Indian youth in the country. In the letter, which has been shared widely on social media platforms and has since been published in the POST, the authors, whose names are not known, expressed their 'disappointment' in leaders who apparently hold onto positions and are unwilling to help the youth reach their full potential. Youth reaction Brandon Pillay, a former member of parliament, said the letter resonated with him. 'It certainly opened many old wounds. I know first-hand what this means. I started my activism at the age of 17; what I expected and the results I got were worlds apart. Instead of grooming, shaping and mentoring, I got the total opposite. I was seen as a rebel, but here I was a young person amongst adults and elders and I learnt nothing from them. In fact what I learnt was never to be like them, never to pull down other people, never to see people differently.' However, Pillay added there had been a few elders or adults that had helped shape him. 'Sadly, that type of leadership doesn't exist any longer. The late Professor Fatima Meer who arrived in Bayview believed in me. Professor Ashwin Desai taught me that you don't need to be liked just get the work done and Ramesh Harcharan instilled in me to give my best and do my best. 'From Mr Vivian Reddy, I learnt that if 'you can dream it, you can achieve it'. These were the only guiding forces that had a positive influence in the early days. Later on, I met Dhilosen Pillay and he was the only motivating factor.' Pillay, who is the chairperson and director of the Bayview Ubuntu Community Centre said it was important for the 'elders' to accept that they will not be around forever. 'You cannot say that young people are our future generation when you are not prepared to invest in that future, not prepared to pass on the baton and not prepared to empower and develop them. 'They must also accept that they have their own legacy, past and era, which has long past its sell-by date. Young people cannot erase their legacy and history, so they must stop being selfish and allow us to leave our own legacy, allow us to build our own present and allow young people the space to shine,' he said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ - Arlene Govender, founder of the group, Youth with a Voice, said she did not believe that the majority of 'elders' who held positions across government, civic organisations, and community structures had made space for youth leadership. 'There are the rare exceptions, but the overwhelming culture has been one of gatekeeping, control, and fear of being replaced. Too many elders treat leadership as a lifetime entitlement, rather than a temporary responsibility to nurture new leaders and renew institutions. 'The result is a system where young people are either used as tokens or pushed to the margins until they either leave in frustration or are forced to replicate the same exclusionary behaviour to survive. This dynamic is not just disappointing, it is deeply dangerous,' she said. Govender said she believed the long term impact would be the weakening of the country's future. 'Leadership that refuses to regenerate becomes stagnant, unaccountable, and unable to respond to the changing realities of society. We end up with institutions that speak of youth but are completely out of touch with their lived experiences. This will inevitably deepen inequality, erode public trust, and leave a vacuum easily filled by populism or extremism.' Govender said she believed the "elders" should be actively and deliberately building succession not in name, but in action. 'That means mentoring young people, stepping aside when necessary, and supporting youth-led initiatives without trying to control them. It also means resourcing young leaders, protecting them from political abuse, and ensuring they inherit not just responsibility, but also power and platforms. 'If the elders genuinely care about the legacy of the movements, organisations, and communities they serve, they need to stop trying to outlive their time and start preparing others to shape the future,' she said. Ashlin Ellan. Image: Supplied - Ashlin Ellan, a youth leader, said the letter was not merely emotional, but a reflection of truth, pain, and frustration. 'It holds up a mirror to entrenched systems and cultural gatekeeping that many of us have experienced in our personal and organisational journeys.' Ellan said while there are exceptions, the dominant culture within many Indian organisations, religious structures, and community bodies has been one of preservation of power rather than succession planning. 'Elders often speak of legacy, but in practice, they cling to titles and decision-making roles well beyond their time. This has created a bottleneck of opportunity, where emerging youth leaders either conform to the status quo or are alienated entirely.' Ellan said the impact was far-reaching. 'We are witnessing a growing disconnect between generations. Talented, passionate young individuals are choosing to lead in isolation or outside of traditional structures because these spaces are no longer safe or inspiring. As a result, community institutions are stagnating. They struggle to attract new voices, fresh ideas, or energy. If this pattern continues, the legacy our elders speak of preserving will vanish, not because young people don't care, but because they were never included in shaping it.' Ellan said 'elders' should see succession not as a threat to their identity but as the ultimate fulfilment of it. 'To lift others as you climb is the highest form of legacy. When the youth rise, elders don't disappear; they become immortalised through the values they passed on, not the titles they held. To the youth who penned this letter, I hear you, I stand with you and I believe we are not merely inheriting the future – we are shaping it now.' Logie Naidoo Image: Facebook Political activists and leaders Logie Naidoo, a former deputy mayor and Speaker in the eThekwini Municipality, said while the letter was anonymous, it represented the youth's sincerity to participate in the affairs of the country. However, he said that together with fellow comrades and colleagues they has vigorously supported the development of youth in society. 'We have recognised that youth formations are the kindergarten of future leaders in South Africa.' Naidoo added that it was not true that 'Indian elders' had blocked or suppressed Indian youth in taking up positions in a variety of organisations such as political, civic, cultural or sporting, among others. 'In fact many of us encourage participants from our youth sector as was the case in setting up the NIC (Natal Indian Congress) Legacy Committee.' Naidoo said it was also important that the youth assert themselves and become involved in political party structures, civic and civil society organisations and all forms of community work. 'Claim your space and get involved. Don't expect it to fall like 'manna from heaven'. In these times, it is easier to be part of civic or political work than in our pre-democracy times when freedom of movement, speech and association were restricted. 'The youth should also keep in mind there is no easy partway to positions of power in any organisation. You must get involved with the work of the organisation and climb the ranks to the top. 'Many of us in the progressive movements are prepared to meet the youth and provide them with the opportunities, as well as train, guide and develop them into our future leaders. None of us are going to be around forever. I am looking forward to future engagement with the youth.' Naidoo added the National Dialogue presented an opportunity for youth to participate in shaping the country's destiny over the next 30 years of democracy. Ravi Pillay. Image: File image - Ravi Pillay, the former KZN MEC of Finance, said while he did not agree with some of the 'motivating sentiments' expressed in the letter, the central thrust was accepted that more must be done to promote and empower youth leadership. 'In 2019 I wrote an anniversary message titled, 'Time for a new generation of leadership'. During the course of the NIC 130 Anniversary programme last year, discussion focused on a wide range of issues. One of the resolutions was that there should be specific focus on four areas which was social cohesion and nation building; research on a range of socio-economic issues; government capacity and capability and platforms for youth leadership and training. These are a work in progress. 'However, we do observe that many young people are very active in religious, cultural and civil society formations. The talent and energy is clearly there. However, we have to confront the fact that the political space appears too toxic for many. There is also the fact that most decisions are subject to democratic decision making processes. 'Ultimately, we must contribute to young people claiming and earning their space. In addition, most 'elders' I know would really want to be relieved of the pressure of public service,' he said. Shameen Thakur-Rajbansi. Image: Supplied - Shameen Thakur-Rajbansi, leader of the Minority Front, said a few 'elders', such as the late Amichand Rajbansi, were selfless and understood that succession was vital to keep an organisation continuing. 'Mr Rajbansi trained many young people, and today, they thriving politically. However, many organisational heads do not empower youth until the organisation has collapsed and needs resuscitation. This is prevalent in government, business and is also due to bad governance from the top, with the approach taken that 'children can be seen, not heard'. 'It is also the case of gatekeeping for selected persons to be trained to take over at some point or bureaucrats who hold on to positions past 65 years; a period when clearly performance starts to dwindle. This attitude of entitlement for a few must stop as our youth have huge potential and require mentoring, a task too few seniors take up,' she said. Thakur-Rajbansi added that she believed 'elders' had to shift away from the traditional way of succession planning. 'They have to move away from how it was done in the past and use the lessons learnt to fix the current concern of our youth. They must be mentored and coached to take on leadership positions as soon as these talents are recognised so that they can build a solid reputation for themselves. This will increase their presence in the room and exaggerate their strengths with synergized efforts from all sides. 'This open letter is simply our youth asking for what they want, which people don't frequently ask for. They have been heard and their needs must be met because they deserve our trust and support,' she said. Narend Singh Image: File image - Narend Singh, the deputy minister of forestry, fisheries and the environment said: 'This is a very general letter with no author. Perhaps the author or this group could identify themselves so that there could be a meaningful discussion or 'round table' with those 'elders' they make reference to. I am willing to assist in facilitating the proposed engagement. However, it is good to note 'the fire in the belly' of the youth.' THE POST
IOL News
16-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Shridhaan Lahldas continues family volleyball legacy at Region 5 Games
Shridhaan Lahldas got his first taste of international competition at the Region 5 Games in Namibia, where the SA U19 team lost in the final. Teenager Shridhaan Lahldas from Tongaat was one of the youngest players in the SA Under-19 volleyball squad that made it to the recent final at the Region 5 Games in Namibia, continuing the family legacy in the sport. The 16-year-old specialist setter is the son of former national team star Ryaan 'Spits' Lahldas, who led SA to many great conquests on the continental stage. Olympic participation is one of the few omissions of his stellar career. Smashing time Shridhaan got his first taste of the continental stage at the Region 5 Games, and it left him wanting more. 'Region 5 this year was my first international experience. The level of volleyball is quite significant compared to volleyball in South Africa. It taught everyone a lot of new things and how competitive the sport could really be,' the Grade 11 pupil at Seatides Combined School told POST on his return. 'In the semi-finals we faced off with Malawi. In the first two sets we were down and then came one of the best comebacks in Region 5 as we ended up beating them 3-2 in a five-set thriller. 'The next day we ended up playing Zimbabwe. Unfortunately, it was a sad loss because most of our main players had injuries due to that long game, so we ended up losing three straight games.' One of the surprises for the teenage star was also the continued recognition of the Lahldas name long after dad Ryaan has stepped away from the court. 'I was shocked and amazed by how many people actually knew my father there. Some way or the other people found that I was Spits's laaitie, which is what they called me there. They started speaking about him. Some of the guys also said to me that I'm developing hands like his slowly, just give me a couple of years and I'll be on the same level as him.' And his father could not be more proud of his son's achievement.
IOL News
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
It's your right to write
Writing is often described as an art form that transcends time and connects generations. Image: WRITING is a passion I have courted since I was in primary school. A dream come true was when the erstwhile editor of this august publication, Mr Brijlall Ramguthee, invited me to submit a test column to appraise the possibility of my having a regular spot in the paper. This was not a simple or rash decision on his part as anyone knowing the gentleman would attest the fact that he is thorough in everything he does. So, he had been watching my regular letters which I used to submit to the letters' column and had approved many for publication. My test column was a piece on the legendary watering hole of the past- the iconic Himalaya Hotel. Mr Ramguthee enjoyed it, especially the nostalgic touch and the rest is history. Or should I say MY story. In keeping with the theme that I started in that initial column, the Editor aptly named the series to follow, 'Down Memory Lane'. Very soon, the column became highly popular and enjoyed a good, loyal following. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Ramguthee, ever the visionary, then devised a second column for me to helm. Slightly similar to the first one, he strategised a column that brought back articles from the past issues of this newspaper. This to be done in strict chronological order. It was not as easy as it sounds. Hard copies of past issues were rare, especially the golden years of the POST. However, past copies are preserved on microfilm in certain libraries. Miniature photos of each page are on microfilm. These are run through a microfiche machine, reel by reel and it is magnified on to the screen. I would then select portions which I deemed fit to reproduce and send it to a photocopying machine to print as hard copy. I would then sit with those and pen a column for each week and supplement it with a photo from the original article. It was arduous and time-consuming, but I thrived on it as it gave me a chance to write as well as teaching me to respect deadlines and to be disciplined in writing. It definitely stood me in good stead as here I am now, after over 25 years and through the kindness of current editor, Yogas Nair, I am still realising my dream and enjoying my passion for writing. To go back, that second series of columns was entitled 'Blast from the Past', which ran weekly while 'Down Memory Lane' was fortnightly. Both enjoyed a great following and were anticipated with enthusiasm by readers. Four books followed and that was more dreams of mine is the point of me telling you dear reader about all the above? I believe that many avid readers are closet wannabe writers. And why not? What is stopping you?Usually, as in most things, it is the fear of the unknown. Will it be a success? Or will it be an expensive exercise in futility? These are normal fears, but if you really want to achieve your passion follow my advice as I outline them below. I have given several writing workshops on the subject, but this I will give you in precis writing form at no charge right here. Establish what it is that you would like to write about. Jot down points in a book. Hopefully you have a laptop. Open up a word document and save it to your drive as a file. Give it a temporary name so that you can save it under that title and access it as needed. Start typing out your thoughts. Don't worry about structure and sequence yet. Just put down your thoughts and don't forget to SAVE, SAVE, SAVE. It's going to be a rough draft but save it all anyway. When you have finished, then it is time to review what you wrote and edit what you feel. Then contact a reputable book editor and negotiate with him to take on your project. It will be his job to knock it all into shape, correct grammar errors, etc. Do not underestimate the use of an independent editor. You may try to cut costs by saying that you have a good grasp of the English language and you are happy with your output. However, understand that you are too close to your subject and your work. You may not be objective enough. An independent eye will not be prejudiced or partial and will make drastic or needed corrections or adjustments. You will still have final control and say in the publishing of your completed manuscript, but don't fear justified criticism. If you are self-publishing then your next step is to get a good designer for your publication. Obviously, I can't cover all aspects in this column, so if you have queries or need advice, feel free to email me at the address given below. One final point. Do not undertake the above without ensuring you have a budget to publish and print your book. Unless you are a Wilbur Smith or Sidney Sheldon, book publishers will not finance your publication. That's a cost you have to meet. Don't be discouraged. If your book is successful, you will recoup your cost and probably make a decent profit as well. So get started. It is your right to write. Happy writing. Ravi Govender Image: File Ravi Govender is a former POST sub-editor and Lotus FM radio presenter. He is a published author, a freelance editor and film producer in training. He can be contacted at: ravijohngovender@ ** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media. THE POST
