Watson bids Group Editors farewell

GEORGE NEWS - From humble beginnings as an advertorial journalist when she joined the Group Editors team in 2007, online editor Tanya Watson will be leaving this nest to spread her wings in 2022 to tackle a new opportunity.

Watson, who will remain in the digital field, will be saying goodbye to her Group Editors family on 31 December.

This is not a decision she made lightly, but she believes it's for the best.

"When opportunity knocks, you open the door. Making the decision to leave the Group Editors family has not been an easy one for me, in fact, it's been the hardest decision I've ever had to make; but I am looking forward to a new and exciting chapter," she says.

"I am a mess of emotions at this time because I am leaving my family of almost 15 years behind, but I know it's not goodbye, it's just 'see you a bit less'. Each and every person at Group Editors has enriched my life, and I am a better person for it."

As she's not letting the cat out of the bag quite yet, we will just have to wait and see what bright things lie in store for her.

Watson, who has been an integral part of the Group Editors team, matriculated from York High School in 2002.

"I always dreamed of being a journalist. I left George after school, but missed my home town too much. In 2007 I was thrilled to get a position at George Herald," she says.

This worked out perfectly for her as she married the love of her life, Ashley Watson, in her home town a year later.

In 2009 Watson moved to Group Editors' brand-new digital department as online sub-editor and has been the group's online editor for the past eight years.

Having worked with Watson since 2015, this journalist will remember her colleague as one of the best in the business.

Tanya wasn't only a colleague, she is a best friend and a sister. She simply never gives up and has successfully led her online team through raging fires, burning buses, floods and many, many protests in her time as online editor.

You are leaving a huge gap, girl, and we will miss your laughs and quirky sense of humour in the office. All the best with your future endeavours.

Kristy Kolberg and Tanya Watson enjoying time together.

Also completing his journey of 10 years with Group Editors is Watson's father Hannes Visser, the editor of the Oudtshoorn Courant.

Visser, a skilled writer and poet, is leaving to pursue his life-long dream to be in the publishing industry. The current editor at Graaff-Reinet Advertiser, Hugo Redelinghuys, will take the reins from Visser and captain both publications from the offices in Oudtshoorn.

Hannes Visser (right) with Oudtshoorn Courant journalist Liezl van Niekerk.