GEORGE NEWS - George-based journalist, editor and communication specialist Athane Scholtz has just published her first book, Peace in Grief.
Athane was married to well-known media photographer Desmond Scholtz who died of Covid-19 in July 2021.
Their daughter, Emma, was 17 and in matric, and their son, Nathan, was 14 and in Grade 8 at the time of Desmond's death.
The book is a brutally honest account of the surreal world of sudden death, the wide-ranging impact of trauma on her and her teenage children, and the peace beyond understanding that sustained her throughout.
She also offers advice for the grieving and those wanting to support them.
Athane said the book was meant to assure the grieving that the strange myriad of effects they were experiencing are "normal", to translate some of the complexities of grief to those who have not yet experienced loss, and to share her perspective on new beginnings and the reason why the bereaved are still here.
Athane Scholtz
"Desmond died of the very aggressive Delta strain of the virus, which had claimed many relatively young and healthy individuals," says Athane. "There were so many people dying at the time, of Covid and other diseases such as cancer and heart attacks, and I spoke to many people about the disorientating effects of loss.
"I realised people were finding it difficult to put into words the muddle of emotions and experiences following the death of a loved one. Most were afraid to be too honest to their friends and families about the implications as to not shock, offend, burden or concern them.
"So, I decided to be honest and vulnerable about my own experiences in the hope that it would help as many people as possible affected by loss. I also included advice from others who have lost loved ones.
"My approach is Christian but the book is not condemning to non-believers and I think it will help many people navigate the strange world of grief," she says.
Athane also presents encouraging talks about the grief experience and is currently developing a two-day Peace in Grief workshop for people wanting to take the first steps towards healing and a new life.
"I believe there is a bigger plan for our lives and that moving forward is important. It doesn't mean we shouldn't mourn, but it should be a season, not an identity."
Peace in Grief has been endorsed by a number of counsellors, including Cape Town-based trauma counsellor Trish Wiese, George-based counsellor and intercessor Anna-Marie Roux and HeartbeatFM presenter and counsellor Veronica Stephens.
Peace in Grief is available in paperback from Takealot, on Amazon and on Kindle. The book will be available in selected shops from March 2023. Retailers, churches, support organisations and counsellors are invited to contact the author regarding direct orders and bulk buys on hello@peacethroughthevalley.com.
Peace in Grief is available in paperback from Takealot.
Athane Scholtz is the former editor of SOUTH magazine, former municipal spokesperson for George as well as Knysna Municipality and started the Garden Route bureau of The Herald (Eastern Province). She and Desmond operated as freelancers on the Garden Route for media organisations from across South Africa for more than ten years before Desmond again took up permanent employ at the Nelson Mandela University George Campus and Athane at the mentioned institutions. She continues to run a media and communications business from home and is a regular contributor to blogs and other media. Her public speaking engagements include topics about personal and corporate communication, womanhood, grief and Bible-based faith. Issued by peacethroughthevalley.com
'We bring you the latest George, Garden Route news'
