Is it Write?

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Is it Write?

Are South Africans just not willing to pay for intellectual property?

But is it write?

Imagine the scenario: "Yes, Mr Yeats, we know you can write. But can you give us a hand building office furniture? No? Hmmmm. What about window washing. Because this job is for a writer/Window washer. Or writer/carpenter. I don't know why you're being so uppity . . . you could be brainstorming little bits of poetry while you're hammering, you know. Actually, I have a cousin who has a little tipple with some writers. I'll ask him what he charges for writing and window washing. Yes, he's probably the man for the job anyway . . ."

Odd? Not really. Take a look at some of the ads on BizCommunity:

Lifestyle Writer and Stylist

Website Writer/Editor and HTML Programmer

Assistant Editor/Production

Writer and STYLIST? Good grief! What happened to writing being a craft, and a valuable part – if not the essence - of communication? Once again, South Africans are loathe to pay for intellectual capital. So we'll find someone who will write and wash the company cars. Or write, budget and babysit.

Failing that, we'll get our up country cousin to come into the office and slap a few words together for the next press release. Then we'll send it off and phone the editor seven times to find out why he/she didn't use it.

Sheeeesh.

Contact name : Dianne Bayley
Email address : dibayley@telkomsa.net

[17 May 2007 15:00]