GEORGE NEWS - Western Cape Premier Alan Winde's brand new media liaison officer has a very real connection to George.
Regan Thaw, the new spokesperson to the office of the premier, has spent most of his family holidays here to visit his parents since their permanent move to George in 1997 - the year after he finished matric.
Originally from Kimberley, Thaw enjoyed a gap year in George before he started studying for a BA degree, majoring in journalism and psychology at Rhodes University.
Former spokesperson Cayla Murray welcomed Thaw last week, saying he brings with him "a wealth of expertise in the field of media".
Thaw agreed to an interview and gave George Herald an amazing account of his "coming of age" in the field of journalism, and the recent excitement when he received a call from Winde's chief of staff one afternoon a few weeks ago.
Growing up
Thaw spent his formative years in the "Groot Gat", growing up in Kimberley. "I attended Kimberley Junior School and Kimberley Boys’ High School. It has to be said, I struggled to find my academic feet, only coming into my own in the last two years of high school, after I abandoned the stranglehold math had over me. Not the wisest move, in hindsight," says Thaw.
After their relocation to George early in 1997, Thaw explored the town and surrounds through hiking and cycling.
"The following year, having been accepted to study at Rhodes University, I embarked on the next chapter of my life, studying for a BA degree, majoring in journalism and psychology."
Big smoke
"Graduating in 2001, the big smoke of Johannesburg awaited me," says Thaw. "I reckoned to make a career for myself in journalism I had to head off to one of the most imposing cities in the world. And boy, was it imposing.
"I was hired as a reporter with Eyewitness News (EWN). Through natural disasters like the 'Boxing Day' tsunami and an earthquake in Pakistan, the conflict in Sudan, local protests and press briefings, I survived seven years as a reporter in Johannesburg. But I wanted to take my career abroad."
That's when Thaw's then Johannesburg news editor, Katy Katopodis, stepped in, offering him the option of moving to rather move to Cape Town and continue working for EWN.
"Big decisions had to be made. I was eventually swayed by cancer. A dear aunt of mine got cancer and the thought of being so far away as she fought the disease helped me change my mind," he recalls.
"As she lived in Cape Town, her illness convinced me to stay in South Africa and take up my boss' offer to relocate to the Mother City. For a further five years I worked as a reporter, diving back into covering the likes of the wave of xenophobic violence that tore the country apart in 2008 and the terrorist attacks in India that same year - among other stories.
"In 2013, I hung up my radio recording equipment, and then took my seat at the EWN news anchor desk in Cape Town, a position I held for over nine years."
The call
Then, one afternoon a few weeks back, Thaw received a call from Western Cape Premier Alan Winde's chief of staff, enquiring whether he would consider being interviewed for the post of his new spokesperson.
"I agreed on the spot, sitting in my car alongside a road, having had to take the phone call while on the road. To be honest, the ensuing days became a blur of excitement and nerves. It has been a massive step and learning curve for me as I have only ever worked in journalism. But the patient guidance of my new colleagues, the ceaseless support and love of my wife and family, and my reignited determination have so far helped me navigate my nerves."
The premier
Asked about his new challenge, Thaw says he shares the premier's passion to get the Western Cape's economy back on track after more than two years of living under Covid-19 restrictions.
"I hope to help, in my current position, to communicate the various ways in which he and his team will fuel growth and create jobs."
A few things the people of the Western Cape may not know about the premier?
"Well, he's known to be a bit of a practical joker around the office. He also played rugby at school and tells me Outeniqua High was usually 'a tough rugby game, York not so much'. He also sometimes misses being a local entrepreneur, where he helped create jobs."
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