Caxton bids farewell to long-time editor Wilma van Vuuren
“It has been a journey, a joyride, I did what I love. But there is a time to come and a time to go. It is time to go now and hand it over to the next generation,” said van Vuuren.
It is with great sadness that the Ridge Times, Standerton Advertiser and Streeknuus bid farewell to long-time editor Wilma van Vuuren who has retired after serving 38 years in the media industry.
Van Vuuren’s career in journalism began in October 1984 with the Ridge Times, known back then as the Highveld Ridge.
Highlights of her journey through the years included meeting President Nelson Mandela in the 90s.
It was the dream of a young girl from Bethal who battled cancer to meet Nelson Mandela and get to visit his prison cell through the Reach for a Dream foundation.
“Meeting Mandela was the greatest honour for me. Such a humble person. His smile is what I remember the most,” said Van Vuuren.
Van Vuuren has been a part of an evolving media industry. First, there were typewriters, then the computer followed and now it’s the era of digital media platforms which one can access by cellphone.
Van Vuuren is no stranger to the Bethal community.
Throughout her 41 years as a resident, she also made a name in sports, served on numerous committees as well as the chamber of commerce, and was involved in various community projects in Bethal.
“I made many friends through my work and have met incredible people in all spheres of life, from ministers to your everyday people.
“It has been a journey, a joyride, I did what I love.
“But there is a time to come and a time to go. It is time to go now and hand over to the next generation,” said Van Vuuren.
She said everyone she has met in her life made a difference. The hardest stories for her to write were that of children suffering, as well as reporting on the death of friends.
“There are people who made a difference in my life and whom I will never forget,” said Van Vuuren.
She has seen her fair share of colleagues that have come and gone over the years and Van Vuuren said she enjoyed working with all of them.
“I don’t believe in legacies as such. Every editor has their own way.
“I hope I installed the basics and that the team will continue to grow under its new leadership,” said Van Vuuren.
Van Vuuren has seen her share of life-changing events, from the birth of democracy, to death, joy and the Covid-19 pandemic. She has seen it all and has grown from every experience.
“It is now my time, me-time and to do as much of nothing as possible. I want to do my own thing, which obviously, will not entail news. It is now time to move on.
“I have a hobby that I want to turn into a business,” said Van Vuuren.
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She wants to thank everybody who crossed her path in the past 38 years and the stories she got to tell.
“There was much tragedy, but also many nice things. Journalism is not just about the bad, it is about the people who made a difference. I want to thank you and my colleagues for all your love and support.
“Most importantly, I want to thank my family for all their support. Without you, I am nothing. For 38 years I have lived my dream, and now I want to live a new one. I am blessed,” concluded Van Vuuren.
The reins of editorship at the Ridge Times, Standerton Advertiser and Streeknuus based in Delmas and
Bronkhorstspruit, will now be taken over by well-known local journalist, Arisja Misselhorn.
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