William Pretorius

We like to think that Bookmark is an unexpected book programme. You never know what you’re going to get. There’s something different every week, and we don’t follow too regular a pattern. We keep you up to date on the latest bestsellers, on fiction and non-fiction, and books that are both academic and easy-reading. At the same time we look at what’s available at bookshops that deal in pre-used book and overstocks – goods books going at affordable prices. We also present news on bookshops themselves, and where possible, talk to the owners. We like to think we’re a guide to book-buying by talking to both mainstream and off-the-beaten-track booksellers.
Occasionally, we also tell you about what people are reading overseas. This gives an idea of the broad range of books available, and if it’s not in the bookshops, you can order the reading matter you fancy on the Internet. We like to take a holistic approach to books, recognising that while the publishers’ choice of books sent for review is stimulating, it’s also limited. We’re also not scared of the controversial book, seeing books also as part of a vital medium that questions comfortable and easy assumptions.
The book community, as we see it, is large and diverse.
We also have a special place for South African writing, and try to keep you up to date on new books, both fiction and non-fiction, and new writers. Our writing is blossoming, and more books than ever before are being printed. We should like to develop Bookmark as the essential link between publishers and readers in South African writing.

Bernard Spong (Co-presenter)

Born June 1930. Grew up in Manchester, England
1946 – 1951: Engineering draughtsman, Manchester
1951 – 1956: Studied Theology at Manchester and Cambridge Universities
June 19 1956: Ordained Minister in Congregational (Now United Reformed) Church,
1956 – 1962: Ministered in two British Congregational Churches
1957 – 1962: Regional Secretary Inter Church Aid
1959: Regional Secretary “Freedom from Hunger” Campaign
April 1963: Arrived South Africa as missionary of the London Missionary Society.
(Last of that society to come to South Africa – the “end of a line”)
1963 – 1966: District Missionary, Northern Cape
1967 – 1977: Johannesburg. Secretary, Central Regional Council of the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa,
1977 – 1991: Director, Interchurch Media Programme
1991 – 1997: Head, Communications Department, SA Council of Churches
Broadcasting:
1967 – 1979: Regular Religious and Actuality broadcaster, SABC English Service
1970 – 1975: Member religious Advisory Board, SABC
December 1979; Banned from broadcasting by Religious Department, SABC
1990: Formation Secretary of Independent Forum for Religious Broadcasting
1992 – 1996: Member Religious Advisory Panel, SABC

Writing
1971 – 1975: Editor The Christian Leader (Monthly paper of Congregational and Presbyterian Churches)
1977 – 1997: Writing reports, articles, scripts, reviews, and teaching writing/scripting for Interchurch Media Programme and SA Council of Churches.
1993: Co-author “Come Celebrate!” history of the SA Council of Churches 1968 - 93
2003: Co-editor “Religion and Reconciliation in South Africa”

Married, one son,
A proud South African citizen and a lover of the great city of Johannesburg

	William Pretorius	email William on hosts@1485.org.za
William Pretorius & Bernard Spong The Booker File Sundays 1100 - 1130 The unexpected book programme BACK		We like to think that Bookmark is an unexpected book programme. You never know what you’re going to get. There’s something different every week, and we don’t follow too regular a pattern. We keep you up to date on the latest bestsellers, on fiction and non-fiction, and books that are both academic and easy-reading. At the same time we look at what’s available at bookshops that deal in pre-used book and overstocks – goods books going at affordable prices. We also present news on bookshops themselves, and where possible, talk to the owners. We like to think we’re a guide to book-buying by talking to both mainstream and off-the-beaten-track booksellers. Occasionally, we also tell you about what people are reading overseas. This gives an idea of the broad range of books available, and if it’s not in the bookshops, you can order the reading matter you fancy on the Internet. We like to take a holistic approach to books, recognising that while the publishers’ choice of books sent for review is stimulating, it’s also limited. We’re also not scared of the controversial book, seeing books also as part of a vital medium that questions comfortable and easy assumptions. The book community, as we see it, is large and diverse. We also have a special place for South African writing, and try to keep you up to date on new books, both fiction and non-fiction, and new writers. Our writing is blossoming, and more books than ever before are being printed. We should like to develop Bookmark as the essential link between publishers and readers in South African writing. Bernard Spong (Co-presenter) Born June 1930. Grew up in Manchester, England 1946 – 1951: Engineering draughtsman, Manchester 1951 – 1956: Studied Theology at Manchester and Cambridge Universities June 19 1956: Ordained Minister in Congregational (Now United Reformed) Church, 1956 – 1962: Ministered in two British Congregational Churches 1957 – 1962: Regional Secretary Inter Church Aid 1959: Regional Secretary “Freedom from Hunger” Campaign April 1963: Arrived South Africa as missionary of the London Missionary Society. (Last of that society to come to South Africa – the “end of a line”) 1963 – 1966: District Missionary, Northern Cape 1967 – 1977: Johannesburg. Secretary, Central Regional Council of the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa, 1977 – 1991: Director, Interchurch Media Programme 1991 – 1997: Head, Communications Department, SA Council of Churches Broadcasting: 1967 – 1979: Regular Religious and Actuality broadcaster, SABC English Service 1970 – 1975: Member religious Advisory Board, SABC December 1979; Banned from broadcasting by Religious Department, SABC 1990: Formation Secretary of Independent Forum for Religious Broadcasting 1992 – 1996: Member Religious Advisory Panel, SABC Writing 1971 – 1975: Editor The Christian Leader (Monthly paper of Congregational and Presbyterian Churches) 1977 – 1997: Writing reports, articles, scripts, reviews, and teaching writing/scripting for Interchurch Media Programme and SA Council of Churches. 1993: Co-author “Come Celebrate!” history of the SA Council of Churches 1968 - 93 2003: Co-editor “Religion and Reconciliation in South Africa” Married, one son, A proud South African citizen and a lover of the great city of Johannesburg