..:: Talk Radio 702 ::..

Jenny Crwys-Williams

Jenny's career in journalism began in the United Kingdom, where she worked as deputy editor of Cambridge, Huntingdon and Peterborough Life. In South Africa she has worked as woman's editor of The Natal Mercury, the Johannesburg Bureau Chief of Cosmopolitan and the founding editor of the super-luxurious Excellence magazine for the Sun International group. She was also the founding editor for Changes, Choices and Sunday magazine. Jenny moved into the electronic media after a successful audio test with the BBC in London in the 80s, and Talk Radio 702 was a natural choice when she found herself back home. Interviews have included Archbishop Desmond Tutu, FW de Klerk, Meryl Streep, Peter O'Toole, Sarah Brightman, Lord Snowdon, Graham Hancock, Faye Dunaway, Ruby Wax, Helen Mirren, Oprah, David Frost, Princess Caroline of Monaco, Paul Theroux. Jenny is the author of a number of books, including; The Penguin Dictionary of South African Quotations (1994 and 1999) and In the Words of Nelson Mandela (1998).

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PROFILE

What did you want to be when you were little?

Big.

What soothes you?

Music and opera, water, glorious mountains and, of course, a thoroughly good book. An exquisite garden. Looking at a painting. Quiet.

What irks you?

Intolerance. Slapgat people. Shoes dragging on the ground. Filth.

Is there a book you read that changed your life?

No. But many which have made me think deeply.

The music you listen to most often?

I listen to all kinds of music, but I love opera and the baroque. Bach. Mozart, of course, but then everyone would say that.

Who would you go to the ends of the earth for?

Depends whether I was flying or walking. David Attenborough even if I was crawling; Bill Clinton, but I'd need very comfortable walking shoes; Desmond Tutu because he's just got It and he's not preachy; I wouldn't mind spending time with Carl Sagan, but he's dead, so it's unlikely unless we learnt to time travel. But if he's in a parallel world it might be possible in about 200 years.

Who is your greatest source of inspiration?

Good people who do extraordinary things because they simply have to. They're the occasional heroes we all admire. There's the odd high profile person who uses his/her position to do something decent, something quite profound, and they do it selflessly. I am repelled by people who think only of material things: apart from anything else, they are one-dimensional and indescribably boring.

Do you have any 'show off' coffee table books in your home?

Are you kidding me?

Ever been left speechless on the air?

Only once. A listener in Boksburg who called me a stuck up c**t. I laughed so much I nearly choked.

Who is the one person you would love to interview, but haven't yet had the pleasure?

I want another chance with Bill Clinton: he's fantastic to interview and his second career is as interesting as his first one as a politician.

SHOW DESCRIPTION

Intelligent. Versatile. Irreverent. Opinionated. Witty. And highly entertaining! That's Jenny, and then some. Occasionally serious, sometimes lighthearted, but never predictable! Get involved with Jenny Crwys-Williams every week afternoon on 702.