Doyenne challenges writers’ club

The Ballito Writers’ Club was regaled with interesting and amusing anecdotes of an editor’s life, and the rogue elephants and other animals her son saved, when the indomitable queen of community newspapers, Reg Anthony gave a talk at the May meeting held at the Salt Rock Country Club last Thursday.

Reg founded the Zululand Observer, which has changed the face of Zululand, some four decades ago.

Her staff refer to her as “Mrs A” or Swambo (she who must be obeyed) for she has dented many an ego and put many slothful and cheeky journalists in their place.

“My staff, in due consideration of my sweet nature, put a label on my door which reads, “Intensive Scare”.” (This I can attest to having been fortunate to have cut my journalistic teeth under her editorship some 30 years ago.)

Reg, having abundant love for the helpless and hopeless, formed the Do I Care Enough (DICE) charity and is patron of Cansa Uthungulu. She is also a recipient of a number of newspaper accolades including being named the doyenne of the community press in Southern Africa for her endeavours to enhance the medium and raise the standards of journalism.

She is a pioneer, businesswoman, mother, grandmother, church organist, philanthropist, loyal friend and inspirational employer.

Reg gave the Writer’s Club a whistle-stop tour through the fascinating history of communication and charged the writer’s to measure up to their calling.

“As authors you play such a tremendous role in the lives of all people with no exception – you educate, entertain, uplift; you are part and parcel of every human being.”

Reg was questioned about her well-known son, Lawrence Anthony, who passed away a few years ago.

“He was emphatic on one topic,” she said, “that we totally underestimate the communication between animals and humans. Referring to his book, The Elephant Whisperer, he always said I did not whisper to the elephants – they whispered to me!”

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