Flow recently brought the personal and public aspects of Absa bank CEO Maria Ramos and pioneering eye surgeon Dr Stephen Joffe to life in two vivid profiles in this month’s edition of the WITSReview.
July’s impressive read is the result of excellent team work, involving Flow’s writing studio manager, Camilla Bath, who conducted the interviews and wrote the profiles, and CEO Tara Turkington and freelance sub-editor, Shirley de Villiers, who both sub-edited the full edition.
The articles provide insights into where these two inspiring people began their professional journeys and the defining moments that have led them to where they are today.
When asked what the interview process was like, this is what Camilla had to say: “It was quite a daunting task to interview a woman as powerful as Maria Ramos at the Absa headquarters! As a journalist, I’ve tackled my fair share of politicians and dignitaries, but this was something different – mainly because it was a personal look at this remarkable woman and her life. She was instantly likeable and accessible though. Ramos was fascinating to interview; she was also more than a little inspiring.”
Joffe, who spoke highly of Wits University for having given him an “international academic passport”, has changed the lives of thousands of people.
Joffe worked extensively on developing the laser vision technology that has allowed people who have not been able to see for 15 to 25 years to regain their vision, without the use of spectacles or contact lenses.
His success and unintended fortune allowed him to start the Joffe Foundation, with his wife Sandra, which provides assistance to various projects worldwide.
“Stephen Joffe was such a pleasure to interview. He is a warm, open man who has lived an extraordinary life. Even though the interview was conducted over the telephone (as he lives in the US), he was familiar and honest – and also unthinkingly humble. He was able to rattle off the most astounding collection of facts and stories in response to each question I asked. Joffe also sent me a note of congratulations and thanks after the article was published, a wonderful act by such a busy man,” says Camilla.
The WITSReview is produced by the University of the Witwatersrand on a quarterly basis, keeping Wits alumni in touch with each other and the university. Flow Communications considers it a great pleasure to work on articles such as these, and to continue our long-standing relationship with both the university and the publication.