Chatting to the ‘Queen of Traffic’
You might recognise Jayshree Parasuramen (or at least her voice) as the free-spirited woman who makes sure you don’t get stuck in traffic on your way to work. But there is more to this traffic reporter than staying up to date with accidents and broken-down vehicles.
FROM morning traffic updates to empowering women through the arts, Jayshree is a real-life South African hero. She’s an accomplished playwright, actress, teacher and comedian. We chatted to her about her career and her many initiatives aimed at empowering women and the youth.
Jayshree is just one of those genuinely lovely people. Her electric personality stands out wherever she goes. She’s smart, outrageously enthusiastic and an independent woman, bursting with ambition and creativity. You can hear it and feel it. Even in the face of some of Durban’s most tragic days, she stives to be an instrument of service on East Coast Radio’s breakfast show. Her mission is finding the real-life unsung people and bringing their lives and history to life through theatre with the hope of inspiring others positively.
Single (and happy) and mum to ‘zero brats’, as she says in jest, Jayshree has been a thespian for more than 20 years and known on air for well over a decade. Much like her sense of fashion (classic, posh and a whole lot of fun), her Morningside apartment oozes artsy charm.
There’s a large wall she’s painted black for a theatre effect and a cool background for DIY videos she sometimes makes. The walls are home to large frames that house a poster of Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe among other posters of her own theatre productions. As she likes to dabble in oil paintings when the opportunity arises, some of her own works of art are also hung about. While there are lots (and lots) of books and bookshelves, her home is also peppered with storyboards for upcoming work and post-it stickers and notes to remind her of her goals.
“I’ve made my space all about me and what works for me,” she says. “It’s definitely not the ideal home scene … accept for my bedroom. There’s peace in my bedroom. The rest of my apartment is organised chaos that not many get to see. I seldom have visitors. I like my privacy. I’d like to say my apartment would be a treat for any child. It looks attractive with lots of colour and creativity and to me it feels like a home. There’s also lots of candy and chocolates, which my mother wouldn’t agree with.”
Read the full story here – More than just the ‘Queen of Traffic’
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At the time of going to press, the contents of this feature mirrored South Africa’s lockdown regulations.
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