GRAAF-REINET NEWS - The community of Graaff-Reinet bowed their heads in sadness when the news broke of the passing of Arthur Knott-Craig on Sunday morning, 8 June.
Born on 3 January 1931, Knott-Craig left an indelible mark on the community as a whole, as he served it by providing the news through Graaff-Reinet Advertiser, which he took over from his late father, RC Knott-Craig, in 1951 as a journalist at only 20 years old.
“As a freelance journalist, I met Arthur in 1978 when I, as a matriculant, travelled to Graaff-Reinet with my dad to meet with him, with regards to the possibility of joining the publication as a freelance journalist, and he immediately agreed to accept the stories I offered him,” says Teresa Opperman, who worked with Knott-Craig for many years.
“I have known him as a real gentleman, and with a nose for news, over all the years that I have worked with him.
He taught me how to follow up, what to ask, and how to handle every possible situation a journalist could ever encounter.
With the knowledge I acquired from his training, I would even have been able to report during a war.
During the first years, I would receive a phone call from him, requesting a story and photographs, which I followed up.
But before technology, these stories had to be done, photographs had to be developed, and the story with photographs had to be posted, only to be published three weeks later.
But Arthur never checked up, he just phoned when he received the envelopes to say thank you, your stories will be published in Thursday’s issue!”
Knott-Craig was born in Worcester, but moved to the Karoo, which he loved dearly, and came to settle in Graaff-Reinet, where his dad worked for the Advertiser.
He always served the community as a journalist, but also as a person who cared deeply for his community.
Knott-Craig and his wife, Jenny, retired to Huis van de Graaff and enjoyed the company of the community there, but he still loved to receive his weekly Graaff-Reinet Advertiser.
It was quite a shock when this publication stopped, and his son, Ian, tells about the effect this had on his dad.
“At times he felt his heart had been ripped out of his body.
But at the end of the day, I believe it had prepared him to do even a great work, selflessly in the greater community of Graaff-Reinet.
What has been so encouraging during this time has been the staff at Huis van de Graaff. As I explained to him when we first moved him there:
‘You have served this community all your life, and now you are going to find that the children of this community are going to want to serve you selflessly,’ and they did just that.
Our family is very proud of him for what he had achieved. It does sting, but he is where he has yearned to be, with his Creator,” Ian says.
When asked about Arthur’s children and grandchildren, Ian replied that his father and mother took many children in, and still care for them.
“Too many to mention, and they are all cherished members of this community. We loved the smell of the printer ink from the old printing presses and the memories of folding newspaper on Monday and Thursday afternoons for pocket money.”
Arthur family’s legacy is synonymous with the ink and pages of the newspaper, which continues to weave itself into the fabric of Graaff-Reinet.
From their early days as newcomers to the town, to their lasting impact on local journalism and community development, the Knott-Craig family remains an integral part of the town’s identity.
“As Graaff-Reinet moves into the future, Knott-Craig’s journey serves as testament to the enduring spirit of commitment, dedication and community-building that has shaped this historic town for generations,” recalled Sonia Wahl, previous editor of Graaff-Reinet Advertiser.
A memorial service to celebrate the life of this giant and icon of the Graaff-Reinet community will take place in the Methodist Church in Graaff-Reinet at 10:00 on Saturday 21 June.
Group Editors and Graaff-Reinet Advertiser wish to extend their sincerest condolences to his family and loved ones in this difficult time.
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