Two Bits: She knew what she didn’t know, and learned it!

Last year I suffered through a lingering bout of ‘flu for six weeks, in spite of having taken antibiotics and a load of different snake-oil cures.

So this year I had a ‘flu shot in mid-May, possibly too late because it hasn’t protected me. I’ve been man down for five days, and you know all about man ‘flu! My wife wants me to get better, for her sanity.

Now everything I’ve read on the subject says ‘flu is a virus and antibiotics won’t cure a virus, besides I’ve had a growing conviction that taking antibiotics when not necessary is bad for you.

Apparently you develop antibiotic resistance and that’s not good.

Call me a crackpot but that’s what I believe. So out of sheer stubbornness I’m going to ride this one out.

* * *

My first journalist employee in the late 80s was a gritty young lady from Stanger, Mary Papayya. I can’t remember if she had any formal journalism training but the important thing was, what she didn’t know she knew she didn’t know.

And boy, was she going to find out!

With just the two of us doing all the reporting, she worked like a slave.

Best news of the week is that she has been shortlisted for one of the highest awards in journalism, the Nat Nakasa trophy.

The SA National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) makes the award to a journalist who shows exceptional integrity and courage in their work.

After a couple of years with the Courier, she was bursting to fly so moved to The Witness in ‘Maritzburg.

She excelled there, then moved on to SABC radio. She has lectured in journalism at the Durban University of Technology and elsewhere and for many years has served as secretary for Sanef.

In this business, I am afraid, every now and then we knock heads with local government through differing views on how each of us view our roles. I’m reminded of a story about Mary on one such occasion.

Back then Arbor Day, for some strange reason, had assumed a political and cultural significance in conservative circles. And the municipality and council then, almost to a man, fitted that description.

So, one fine day the mayor et al had a little ceremony in the park at the top of Hilary Drive to plant a few saplings. Everyone was dressed in their Sunday best, not like today when you can rock up almost anywhere in shorts and slops.

I sent Mary to report and take some pictures. Well, did I get a blast! A couple of councillors confronted me later and raged, how DARE I send an Indian reporter to THEIR Arbor Day!

I told them to go jump in the lake. Mary was extremely hurt and cried but, little soldier that she was, she put her shoulders back and carried on, more determined than ever to succeed. And she has. Well done, Mary!

* * *

How many journalists does it take to screw in a light bulb?

Three. One to report it as an inspired council programme to bring light to the people, one to report it as a diabolical council plot to deprive the poor of darkness, plus one to win a prize for reporting that the council hired a light bulb assassin to break the bulb in the first place.