Help Danny’s dream come true
He would like to publish his columns in a coffee table book
MY FRIEND is dying.
At some point, I would like to tell our story, but right now, I don’t really know how.
I visited him last night, and I don’t think either of us discussed the reality the very near future may hold.
He’s been talking about making a wish list, but how do you write down a bucket list knowing that what lies ahead is death? It’s all so final.
Danny’s never seen a rhino in real life. I want to give him that. He’s never been to a national park. I want to take him. He wants to walk on the beach again…
I don’t know how many of these things I’ll be able to do for him, and when we heard his diagnosis, the immediate reaction was to set up a crowdfund. But for what?
Treatment could compromise his health even further: his HIV status means his immune system may not be able to handle it, and his life as a homeless man has left his body in tatters, possibly unable to fight further.
There is something I can do for him. It’s within my means and within the ambit of my influence.
We started a journey together, all those years ago, as I wooed him for days to speak to me, to tell me his story as part of the Dignity Project, until he finally opened up, allowing us all a window into the life of the homeless by becoming a columnist for the Cape Argus, and a vocal advocate for the homeless in the halls of power.
I want to walk this final stretch with him. Danny would like to publish his columns in a coffee table book. I have access to the images and the text, so I guess what I’m looking for is assistance with the publication. If needs be, I’ll crowdfund to get it published, and to do so before his time is up.
Should the book be sold, all proceeds would go to an institution of Danny’s choice, and from what I heard last night, I know it would go to good use.
Please help me honour my friend. (Since publishing his open letter, Witten has revealed that the publication of the book is already under way, thanks to Athol Williams from Theart Press.)
Witten is the former Cape Argus live editor, and now is an executive producer at Volt Digital. He, with former editor Gasant Abarder, spearheaded the Dignity Project which introduced readers to columnist Danny Oosthuizen.