CPR is something many of us intend to learn but most of us don’t get round to it. When Durban-based Alison Stokes’ proactive Melville family arranged a Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and choking course within the confines of their own home, she decided to join them. As the ex-principal of a large pre-primary school, I’d invited authorities to […]
SUZANNE'S WORLD
SUZANNE'S WORLD is the new all-encompassing umbrella for features, blogs and interviews either new or archived on my website. It is also the new home of what was Melville News.
Above: The pin board in my office is a collage of of my world...
For a long time I've been searching for a name that immediately conveys, but doesn't limit, the scope of editorial content I publish on my website. As simple a task as one may think it to be, I have rejected every suggestion for not meeting those criteria. "What's in a name?" asked more than one friend, echoing Juliet in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. ("What's in a name? that which we call a rose by any other name would smells as sweet," says Juliet in a passage reflecting her wishful thinking.)
As Juliet discovered, there's a lot in a name, and in my case, the perfect solution wasn't presenting itself. Suzanne's World is an honest and broad attempt to to capture the spirit of this page. As the pin board reveals, in my case it is a personal if somewhat random collection of people and places in my professional and private life, which is intended to be symbolic.
It is here too where colleagues and friends will be encouraged to share their original, thought-provoking and entertaining words to engage readers old and new.
And now that I have settled on Suzanne's World, I hope to give up stressing about names and to get on with the writing. I'm working towards forming partnerships with other sites, which will provide yet more options for the short-attention-span age in which we find ourselves.
I'm happy to say that the launch of this new segment coincides with a feature and an extended paragraph (I'm being facetious) from John Miller, an old friend and colleague who lives in Wales... but let him tell his own stories.
Welcome to my world.
FROM PARKHURST TO VIC FALLS
Marian Myers first knew she was moving to Zimbabwe when her husband revealed he’d bought them a house at Victoria Falls. Two years down the line she looks back… I Have Seen the Sunrise in Zimbabwe is the tune played on the phone system of the safari operator in Victoria Falls. The first time I heard […]
THEATRE DREAMS COME TRUE
Saul Bamberger has a new trick up his sleeve. Known as the host of Olde ‘n’ New recitals, he’s followed his dream and opened an intimate theatre named The Play Station. Saul tells his story. Once upon a time I was an actor (a wonderful folly) and an antique dealer (a passion). I’m also a responsible […]
CALL BACK THE PAST
Melville’s vibey 7th Street was very different in the ’50s and ’60s as former resident, Herman Breedtremembers. He spoke to Christine Pretorius about some memories from his childhood. Anyone who grew up in Melville seems to have lingering, happy memories of the place they called home. Like many of a particular era, Herman’s favourite place – and […]
JENNI’S SOUTH AFRICAN PEOPLE
Jenni Baxter co-owns and publishes SAPeople, the ever-growing online presence for South Africans everywhere. Currently based in Antibes, France, she says it also keeps her in touch with her home country. I started SAPeople.com because I personally love reading about South Africans who are doing well, anywhere in the world; and I just thought it would […]