#Newsmaker: Brenwin Naidu on the Sunday Times' latest addition

The Sunday Times has been making huge investments in content of late. “Our decision to extend the reach of this supplement to the entire run of the Sunday Times is further proof of that," says editor-in-chief Bongani Siqoko. "We also realise that there is a lifestyle element to motoring that we have not yet explored. This change will allow us to make motoring exciting for all our readers,” he went on to say.

Brenwin Naidu, editor of the supplement’s predecessor will continue as editor of the updated version, as well as of the weekly motoring sections in The Times and Sowetan newspapers, in addition to his role as a contributing presenter on the Ignition television channel, also owned by Tiso Blackstar Group.

I interviewed Naidu to find out more about the publication, how he paces himself working across multiple titles and platforms, and what motivates (or moves) him…

Tell us something about yourself not generally known.

I started my career in journalism as an editorial cadet at Caxton Community Newspapers. This was in 2011 and I was 18. I am not sure I could have received a better baptism. The group editor-in-chief started me off by asking me to interview and profile nearly everyone in our building, from the person in payroll to the most seasoned reporter. After some time, he sent me out with a notepad and a camera and asked me to find five interesting happenings on Jan Smuts Avenue in Johannesburg worth writing about. Eventually I was assigned as a reporter to newspapers covering three different parts of the city. From stories about potholes, burst water pipes, brothels hidden in swanky suburbs and land disputes, the exposure was fantastic. Grasping the fundamentals of journalism is obviously quite important.

The mechanics of telling a good story are the same, whether you are talking about cars or unkempt facilities on a suburban playground.

So true. Last words?

The opportunity to take the helm of Sunday Times Motoring was a significant personal milestone. Being associated with a title boasting such weight and credibility remains a huge honour and to witness its growth gives me immeasurable joy. The gratitude flows freely. There were many who were willing to offer mentorship and support in my progression. I count myself privileged to work alongside dedicated professionals and true guardians of the craft. This list includes our motoring production editor Bruce Fraser and Lerato Matebese, senior reporter at Business Day Motor News, unflinching in his determination to provide cogent, hard-hitting motoring evaluations. There is Lindsay Vine-Smyth, the executive producer for Ignition TV, who pulls no punches in striving to maintain the channel’s position as an authoritative voice on all things motoring. Wynter Murdoch, former group motoring editor (who once edited the Sunday Times Lifestyle supplement too) played a major role in my development within this industry. It would be unfair to not mention the manufacturers, particularly those that continue to appreciate the value of the motoring press. I am thankful to our readers, always eager to offer praise and criticism. They can be assured that we will continue to keep the pedal to the metal, in bringing objective, insightful, fun content on the glorious wheeled machines that keep us going.