Jaco Botha

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Jaco Botha

Poet and author of short-stories

Christoffel Jacobus Botha was born on 17 September 1972 in Vereeniging. He matriculated from Pioneer School, Worcester, in 1991. In spite of being only partially sighted, he has always enjoyed sports and hiking.
Jaco studied Mathematics for 2 years at the University of Stellenbosch and obtained a BA in Afrikaans - Dutch and Psychology in 1996. He continued his studies at the University of Cape Town. (BA Hons 1997, MA ,cum laude, in Creative Writing, 1999).

1990-'91: B&W Computers, Worcester - sales and installation of computer equipment.
Worcester - Private tuition in computer practice.
1993-'94: Wilgenhof, Stellenbosch - Editor and publisher of residential newspaper.
1995: MFM Stereo, Stellenbosch - Station Manager.
Lusaka, Zambia - Radio consultant for Radio Phoenix.
1996: University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch - Judge for SRC writers competition.
1997-'98: South African Blind Cricket, New Delhi, India - Member of the South African team; winners of the World Cup.
1998: University of Cape Town, Cape Town - Convener of short prose workshop.
Western Province Blind Cricket, Cape Town - Media liaison.
Human & Rousseau, Cape Town - Assistant editor of Die Rooi Roman – an interactive novel on the internet.
From 1999, after his studies, he furthered his career in the IT industry, where he spent 4 years, mainly as business analyst, consultant and marketer.
1999-2001: Visoft (Pty)Ltd - Computer programming, web development PR, HR and management.
2001 - 2003: Generation Trading 5 (Pty)Ltd. – Software Development and Consulting
2003: Founding Member of Big Bad Wolf Advertising.

Jaco Botha lived in Stellenbosch until 2003.
He is now happily married (to Ingrid, a journalist, and actress who starred in several hard hitting plays as well as soap operas such a Isidingo) and lives in Melville, Johannesburg, as a partner in the small advertising firm, Big Bad Wolf Advertising. He is responsible for creative aspects, such as concept development, copywriting, and innovative strategic thinking. Jaco writes anything from TV commercials to CSI press releases.
When not working, he enjoys canoeing, cooking, playing cards and sipping on a good whisky. He thoroughly believes in the philosophy: Life is not a dress rehearsal, it's the real stuff.

Awards:

1992-'96: University of Stellenbosch - Several bursaries.
1994-'95: Wilgenhof, Stellenbosch - Award for outstanding contribution to culture.
1995: University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch - Winner of SRC writers competition.
1997: University of Cape Town - M-Net bursary for Creative Writing.
1998: University of Cape Town - Human & Rousseau bursary.

Favourite Quote

There is no such thing as a moral or immoral book. A book is either well or badly written.
Oscar Wilde

List of Publications:

Some of Jaco Botha's short stories are found in anthologies: Storiepalet, Van Schaik , 1998 and Die mooiste liefde is verby, Tafelberg, 1999 - Short stories by M-Net bursary holders in anthology. 2001: Briewe deur die lug, Tafelberg Publishers –Articles by SA authors. His articles, prose and poetry appeared in magazines and on the Internet (see also LitNet) and he collaborated on several other works with prominent South African authors.

Books:

Buy Miskruier In drie riviere, Human&Rousseau, 1997
Die Rooi Roman (Assistant editor), Human & Rousseau Jonathan Ball Publishers, 1999
Sweisbril, Human & Rousseau, 2001
Miskruier, Human & Rousseau, 2005

Information by Jaco Botha, 2002/2004