Joy Edmeades

I was born in Grahamstown, that charming churchy small town in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. My ancestors stretch back to the 1820 Settlers; those tenacious gutsy individuals who had a huge hand in developing this unique country.  Naturally, I like to think that I have inherited, down the line, a good deal of their spirit.  I was educated at the Girls High School and Technical College in East London; after which, I left for Zimbabwe where I worked as a Secretary in a well-known firm of Solicitors and where I met my husband.  From there we upped stakes - caps set for London. 

In London I first did temping work; gaining valuable experience in a number of different companies.  Again, as a Secretary, for a firm of architects, a Heating and Ventilating Company and an Advertising Agency; keeping food on the table while my husband studied architecture for five years.  When he qualified and ran his own practice, I organised the day to day administration as well as birthing two lively daughters.

After almost 20 years in London, we once again upped stakes and headed back to South Africa, with our two young British-born children.   I assisted in the setting up of our Consultancy practice and subsequently, the Management Training Company. There I organised the catering as well as the day to day admin and am now progressing further with “The Achievement Spectrum”.  Here I am also responsible for the running the office and taking care of a multitude of other nitty-gritty every day tasks that come with running a business.

After doing an on-line writing course I have acquired a passion for reconnecting with long buried childhood memories of my unhappy, turbulent past and bringing them back to life through turning them into stories.  It’s been a therapeutic experience which has truly enhanced my sense of self, given me a stack of insights, and enabled me to greatly enrich my relationships with both myself and my husband of many years.