Despatches from Chris Moerdyk

click to enlarge

Moerdyk (@chrismoerdyk) admits that the book does not have too much structure and is just a collection of random anecdotes and nostalgic ramblings to appease those people who listened to his stories at dinner parties and round the braai and who probably suggested that he write a book about it all just to shut him up.

An entertaining read

It is called Personal Encounters with Nelson Mandela, Bobby Kennedy and Tessie the Tassle Tosser - a title that indicates that it will at least be an entertaining read rather than a tome of deep historical significance.

As a newspaper and television journalist working for local and foreign news organisations, he travelled far and wide, meeting all manner of interesting people as the title suggests. From Nelson Mandela, whom he persuaded to test-drive a high security limo for six months and Bobby Kennedy, to whom he had to break the news that the senator was unwittingly being flown around South Africa on what used to be Fidel Castro's private aircraft.

A walk down memory lane

British Prime Minister, Harold Wilson, took him to task for daring to take a photograph of him without his pipe in his hand. Then of course, there was Tessie the Tassle Tosser who formed part of a conspiracy with Chris and few other foreign correspondents in what was Rhodesia to ensure that a cricket match was won by all means, especially foul.

The book is also in part a walk down memory lane for anyone who might wonder what TV was like in its early years and how the advertising industry managed to keep South Africa's spirit up during the dark years.

At present, the book is only available in digital form from Amazon.com.