Friends from Benoni appointed editors of geography journals

The South African Geographical Journal (SAGJ), the flagship journal of the Society of South African Geographers, now has two former Tom Newby learners involved in pivotal roles.

The journal publishes novel and original research on all aspects of geography.

The pair, Prof Ashley Gunter and Prof David William Hedding, not only attended the same primary school in Benoni, they also both now lecture at Unisa.

Gunter, from the Department of Geography in the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, was appointed editor-in-chief Human Geography and Hedding was appointed editor-in-chief Physical Geography of the journal.

The City Times spoke to the two about their time in Benoni and their journey in their career and friendship.

Gunter said: “I remember David at school. What I remember most is that he was such a fast runner, I just couldn’t keep up.

“When I arrived at Unisa, I had no idea he was there, in the office next door to me.

“Just after I moved into my office, David came to say hello and I was so surprised to find a long lost primary school friend at my new work.”

Hedding added: “Because we are both still relatively young academics, we enjoy bouncing ideas off of one another and motivating each other.”

Gunter said having Hedding as a colleague is invaluable.

“We provide one another with motivation and support during the tough times and even kept phoning one another to keep our spirits up during lockdown.

“As co-editors of the journal we are working on a joint vision to increase the profile of the publication and to improve its online visibility.”

Prof Ashley Gunter (41):

Tell us about your connection to Benoni?

I was born and raised in Benoni and consider myself a real Benoni boy, I did all my schooling here. My father and brother still live in Benoni and I am there every week to visit so I have never lost my connection to the city.

Tell us about your schooling career?

I went from the Red Cross Nursery School to Tom Newby (1991) and then Benoni High School (1992 to1996).

What life lesson would you say Tom Newby School taught you?

To this day I can remember the school song – ‘lift up your head Tom Newby; we are proud of what we stand for.

From a young age the teachers and principals at Tom Newby School instilled a sense of pride in one’s work. I was not the best primary school learner and struggled in the early grades but teachers such as Mr Manolios and Mr Kruger, principal and deputy principal at the time, motivated me to work harder and do well.

This motivation to try no matter what the situation is has stuck with me through the many hard hours of completing a PhD and obtaining a professorship.

How did it feel when you were appointed editor-in-chief Human Geography?

Being appointed as editor has been the highlight of my career so far, it is an honour to be selected by my peers in geography from across all the Universities in South Africa to take on this position. It is a huge responsibility to be entrusted with and I am proud to be part of the journal.

What kind of changes would you like to see made to the journal?

I would like to see an expanded reach into international writers and audiences, particularly in the global south (developing countries).

Prof David Hedding (40)

Tell us about your connection to Benoni?

We lived in Lakefield while attending Tom Newby Primary School.

What life lesson would you say Tom Newby taught you?

Attending Tom Newby taught me to always try my best. The school’s motto is Conabor so it stuck.

How did it feel when you were appointed editor-in-chief Physical Geography and what made you accept the position?

It was extremely gratifying to be appointed as the editor-in-chief (physical geography) of the South African Geographical Journal. Appointment as an editor of a journal represents recognition from your academic peers that you are have performed high quality research which enables you to objectively evaluate research. So it was an easy decision to accept the position.

What do you hope to achieve in your role?

I would like to elevate the impact of the journal, particularly in Africa.

Why would you say this achievement is significant to you?

This achievement is significant because was a goal I had worked toward since completing my PhD in 2014.

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