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19 February 2018 Photo Danie Nel
Jeanri-Tine respected for her word on wine
Jeanri-Tine

Jeanri-Tine van Zyl may have the perfect career – an idyllic lifestyle that most of us only dream of. She is her own boss and is required to drink wine on the job! Jeanri-Tine is a respected wine writer. She obtained a BA Media Studies degree at Kovsies, before completing further qualifications in Stellenbosch and Cape Town. She is the owner/director of Feed That Bird Communication Consultants (Pty) Ltd. – a PR, communications and content marketing agency providing creative communication support to some of South Africa’s major wine brands and companies. 

My favourite career quote is by Charles Bukowski: “If you're going to try, go all the way. Otherwise, don’t even start. This could mean losing girlfriends, wives, relatives and maybe even your mind. It could mean not eating for three or four days. It could mean freezing on a park bench. It could mean jail. It could mean derision … And, you'll do it, despite rejection and the worst odds. And it will be better than anything else you can imagine.” 

“I didn’t realise it at the time,
but those three years at the
UFS were probably some of
my best, most formative years.”

The best career advice I got was probably from well-known wine critic Michael Fridjhon, who told me a story about an exceptionally talented ballerina who gave up ballet when she wasn’t cast as the lead in ‘Giselle’ It might not be what he intended, but I interpreted it as ‘if you can’t be the best in what you do, quit and try something else’.

I didn’t realise it at the time, but those three years at the UFS were probably some of my best, most formative years. I remember the sleepless weekends as IRAWA editor, marching into Ds Kiepie Jaftha’s office armed with demands for better security on campus, the endless wisdom and strength shared by Dr Elsabe Pepler, who was head of Communication at the Department at the time, and sitting on the grass with my friends before a test, knowing that no matter the outcome, we will all be okay…

 

News Archive

Schoolgirl builds giant Gingerbread house for Children’s Wing Project
2015-11-13


Professor André Venter, Head: Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Morgan Pelser, and Tertia de Bruin, Project Coordinator: Children’s Wing: UFS Marketing.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs.

“You have to dream before your dreams can come true.” These words rang true for Morgan Pelser from Bloemfontein when she fulfilled her wish on Tuesday 3 November 2015 at the launch of her ‘big and real’ Gingerbread house.

 

Pelser, 13, said she had the idea of building the gingerbread house over six months ago and began working tirelessly, raising funds for the project. She intends to donate the money raised from this initiative to the Children’s Wing Project at Pelonomi and Universitas Hospitals. It was back in Grade 4 when she had the opportunity to tour through the ICU, neonatal and paediatric wards of the two hospitals, that she saw the need for better equipment and facilities. Pelser hopes to raise R200 000 through the initiative.

 

Professor André Venter, Head: Department of Paediatrics and Child Health at the University of the Free State, said he was greatly humbled by the perseverance and passion shown by Morgan in executing her dream. “I work with children, so I know how resilient they are, but seeing this is amazing. We tend to give up so easily,” he said. He went on to say that the money will be greatly appreciated, as it will be used to provide health-care facilities for children at both hospitals.

 

The launch of the gingerbread house was a huge success. The house is currently outside Coco C at the Loch Logan Waterfront. Members of the public are encouraged to see and taste the giant house, where they can leave a message on the inside of the house. A minimum fee of R20 is requested.

 

Professor André Venter, Head: Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Morgan Pelser, and Tertia de Bruin, Project Coordinator: Children’s Wing: UFS-Marketing.

Photo: Leonie Bolleurs.

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