STREET SMART
VETERAN print journalist Farook Khan is never one to back down from a challenge – or mince his words.
His street smarts have earned him a reputation of being tenacious in the newsroom and fearless in the field of investigative news.
But Khan, who turned 70 last Wednesday, also has a softer side.
With a wealth of knowledge in journalism spanning five decades, Khan thrives on mentoring young reporters and encouraging them to report on real people and real issues that affect everyday life.
He believes this is the heart of journalism.
Since retiring from the Daily News in 2005, age has not got the better of Khan. He looks fit and has a memory of note.
When POST visited him at his Morningside home last week, he shuffled through dusty boxes filled with black and white photographs of himself with his family and colleagues and his adventures as a news hound.
At the drop of a hat, he recalled the meetings and related the stories associated with each picture, while sipping on tea and eating bhajias.
“When I was young, my sister was insistent I earn a living using a pen. I, on the other hand, wanted to become a mechanic. But when I was 12 years old, I watched the American western, Who Shot Liberty Valence, starring James Stewart and John Wayne. It was about the Old West and newspapers, and it was then that I realised that most newspapers here were writing lies,” he said.
“During apartheid, they wrote about cricketers, for instance, who were all white, but I knew there were cricketers who were Indian and coloured as well. So, as far as I was concerned, they were lying.”
His sister ended up being right.
Khan, who completed Standard 7, used his street smarts to eventually wield his pen as a sword.
He relocated from Pietermarizburg, where he was born, to Johannesburg with his sibling, and ended up working for many years as a legman – gathering the information for stories.
Khan was later employed by the editor-in-chief of the the Golden City Post and Drum, Phillip Selwyn Smith, as a reporter.
“Smith was the lord of the manor of the alternate press in South Africa, and these publications were the most hard hitting against apartheid,” he said.
“He believed I could go out, get a story and leave.”
And that is exactly what Khan did.
A month later, he was placed in the sports department but was expected to write news stories as well.
The first story he tackled was published on November 26, 1967, for Golden City Post. The headline screamed: Acid Death – A Father’s Only Flight from Group Area Hounding.
“It was about an Indian family who lived in Bez Valley, a white area in Johannesburg. The apartheid government wanted to kick them out of their home, and if he refused, the father would have been jailed.
“The man, who was a tailor, could not find alternate accommodation and ended up committing suicide by drinking caustic soda. The family eventually resettled in Benoni. The story was published on the front page,” Khan said.
Since then, Khan has written hundreds of front page stories, and was transferred to newsrooms in Cape Town and Durban.
While in CapeTown in 1968, he heard that the grave of a Muslim saint was located on Robben Island.
Back then, no citizen could travel to the island, and if they did, they faced remaining there forever.
But a gutsy Khan did not play by any rules.
He dressed like a Muslim pilgrim and travelled to the island with moulanas, who were going to consecrate the grave.
“I hid the camera under my arm and was able to take pictures without being caught. The story was not used, due to prison regulations, but the pictures were published. It caused quite a stir.”
In 1969 Khan headed for Durban and worked for the Daily News, The Mercury and the Sunday Tribune in different capacities over the years in news and sport – as a senior reporter, news editor, political writer and columnist.
“I used to produce a dozen stories a day back then. Some of the breaking stories were picked up by the international media, and I used to comment on radio for the British Broadcasting Corporation and the Voice of America,” he recalled.
“The world had become my oyster.” And it has remained so. After retiring, Khan is far from idle.
He has written plays and books, including The Goodwill Lounge, which was released recently.
He also wrote The Butterfly on boxing legend Muhammad Ali’s influence in South Africa and the role he played in bringing about change.
The two have been friends for several decades, and Khan will soon be travelling to the US to meet with Ali and his family to discuss the book before its launch early next year.
Khan is also putting the finishing touches to yet another book, The Man They Couldn’t Gag, about his exploits in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban.
In addition to all of this, he has been hosting the Miss India South Africa contest for several years.
How long have you been involved in this business?
I have been working as a petrol attendant for the past 18 years. Before that I was employed in the baking industry.
What influenced you in this type of work?
I have a great passion for cars and people. This type of work exposes me to both these groups. My workplace is also close to my home and as a result I am able to save on travel costs. Previously I worked in an environment without job security. I was forced to change my job so that I could be assured of a wage at the end of the week.
Describe a typical day in the life of a petrol attendant.
During my day shift I wake up early and complete some household tasks and then prepare for work. I dress up in a special uniform that petrol attendants wear and leave for work starting very early in the morning.
On arrival I present myself to the manager who engages with all the attendants, providing us with information or specific instructions. We then take our positions on the forecourt.
When vehicles come for petrol, those of us that are free immediately approach the vehicle owner who requests a particular service. While fuel is being dispensed, I offer to check the oil and tyre pressure and to clean the windscreen. While most drivers accept these services, others are in a hurry and only want their cars to be filled with fuel.
During the times when there are no customers I have an opportunity to share personal and other stories with my co-workers. It is a great opportunity to bond as workers. When we are very busy we all help one another to ensure a smooth flow.
When the price of petrol rises we are extremely busy throughout the night and most of the time we run out of fuel.
What are the highlights of your work?
I get to meet so many different types of people. I get very excited when a customer calls me by name after looking at my name tag. I believe that this becomes more personal.
Another highlight is when I get a good tip. Tips are given depending on the service provided. I am always friendly with my customers and get rewarded accordingly.
However, the greatest highlight in my work as a petrol attendant was when I received three awards from head office for excellent service. These awards given at different times are a great motivation for me and my colleagues to provide a good and maybe better service to customers. Some customers actually come back to the service station and request my assistance.
What are some of your challenges?
The greatest challenge is when credit or debit cards do not go through due to insufficient or no funds.
In some instances the customers drive away without paying. In this case the money is deducted from our wages.
This can really have a serious impact on our budget. However, there are some customers who leave behind their wallets or cell phones, and return with the money to pay for their fuel.
Another challenge is when customers are rude and arrogant. They belittle us as if our job as petrol attendants are demeaning. It is also very embarrassing when they do this in front of other customers. We are also human beings with a job to do.
If you had to change your role, what would you like to be?
I would like to remain in this industry but as a fuel inspector. In this role I would be able to visit different filling stations to check on the quality of service provided and also to make suggestions on how to improve the quality of service.
However, if I win the lotto I think the first thing I will do is to open up my own filling station.
Who do you consider to be your role model and why?
My present manager,Arun Kumar, is my role model. He is an amazing individual. He treats all staff with the utmost respect and dignity.
He handsomely rewards staff for any extra work done. During the festive season he gives all staff good bonuses and gifts. If I own a filling station one day, I would like to be like him.
If you were to be elected as president of South Africa what is the most important thing you would do to make a change?
Crime is a serious problem in South Africa. About five years ago my family and I were held up in our house at gunpoint. My whole family, especially my elderly parents, were traumatised by the incident.
The robbers got away with many of our valuables and it took some time to replace them. If elected as president of South Africa, I would do everything in my power to get rid of crime.
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