Bye-bye the way

Well, this is it. My very last “By the way”.

I have decided to move my compulsory retirement forward by a few months and call it a day at the Highvelder.

It has been a wonderful experience working at the newspaper and I am privileged to have shared in many highs and lows of our community.

From the highs of flying in planes and helicopters, meeting and writing about diverse and interesting people and sharing in their achievements, successes and even in their hardships, to seeing newborn babies being thrown away like trash.

I have seen people killed and mutilated in road accidents, but at the same time, I was blessed to have witnessed the wonderful work the Angels of Mercy, our ambulance personnel, emergency workers and police do at these sometimes devastating scenes.

I have seen and written about wins and losses on the sports fields and remarkable achievements of our youth on provincial, national and international level.

In my writings, I have pleased many people and angered others, stepped on toes and buttered mouths. I’ve made countless friends and hopefully fewer enemies.

But folks, that’s all part and parcel of being a community journalist. We report on the good but are not afraid to highlight the bad.

This has all been a part of my life and is what has made me tick for the past few years.

It is something I will never forget. But now it’s time for me to tick in a new phase of life.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been part of my journey at the Highvelder for the opportunities I have been afforded.

To the management and colleagues at the Highvelder and the Caxton Mid-High region, thank you for the support and allowing me to live my dream.

It has been a smooth, bumpy, stressful but an exciting and pleasing journey.

Thank you, one and all… and bye-bye the way.

For free breaking and community news, visit our websites:

Ridge Times, Standerton Advertiser & Highvelder

Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.