Durban author records SA’s lockdown in new book
Ilza wrote 107 000 words during lockdown as she gathered news to record what she called 'history in the making.'
MORNINGSIDE resident, Ilza Oosthuizen, decided to put her time to good use during hard lockdown last year, and recently published a book she compiled during this time, entitled Covid – 19 Petals – 40 Days of Life-changing Chronicles.
Ilza wrote 107 000 words during lockdown as she gathered news, locally, nationally and abroad, to record what she called ‘history in the making.’
“It was always on my bucket list to write a book, and when lockdown hit, I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with myself.”
“This book came about after I heard President Ramaphosa’s speech on 23 March, stating there would be a full lockdown for 21 days. On the following Tuesday my Berea Mail was delivered, and I immediately started jotting down some of the interesting human interest stories,” she said.
Thereafter, Ilza started buying every paper she could and for 40 days, she kept a record of these stories, which she would eventually publish in her book.
Some days Ilza was up at 4am or 5am to start working and at 7am she would run down to the petrol station to buy the newspapers and carry on writing.
“This kept me busy during those days of hard lockdown, I was never bored!”
“I am an enthusiastic newspaper reader and I also wanted to highlight the sterling work journalists were doing during such an important time in South Africa’s history, to keep people informed,” she said, adding that those journalists whose work was used were given a special mention in the book.
She also mentions the different organisations which made a difference in the lives of those in need during this time, such as the Denis Hurley Centre.
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Ilza said she also recorded every speech made by the president from the beginning of lockdown and these are reflected in the book.
“This was something different and very fulfilling for me. A lot of emotions went through my mind when I was writing, it was therapy for me and made me feel very much part of the country. No matter our age or race, we were all in it as a nation, facing the same challenges,” she said.
Ilza is a pianist who has performed as a professional lounge pianist in South Africa as well as on other continents around the world.
Her first position in business was with SABC Television in Auckland Park and she was the first ballet dancer to ever perform in front of SABC Television cameras.
She then moved to KZN where she has spent 30 years as a member of the media and in the publishing industry.
”I always wanted to write a book, and I dedicate this debut book to our next generation, so that in decades to come, future generations can read about this time in history and what our country went through.”
“I hope it will have historical value for generations to come,” she said. She said she has been encouraged to write a second book, however she thinks she will do something more relaxing, like playing golf!
Contact 082 486 7562 or email ilza.publisher@gmail.com.
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