Meet my new crew

Johannesburg, S.A.

Darren’s just introduced me to my two-man crew who’ll be heading back with me in a week. I couldn’t be more pleased. Even though I write for a newspaper, Darren wants to send a video crew back with me since they anticipate online opportunities and cross-promotion with cable.

My cameraman is Peter Atowabene, a Durban lad with over 15 years experience in warzones. He was in Somalia back in 1993 covering the battle of Mogadishu. Many of you will know that battle from the movie and book, Black Hawk Down. He’s got a dangerous sense of humour and he doesn’t startle easily.

Our production assistant and sound man is Michael Watso, a young man from Britain. He’s been at the S.A. office for six months and is anxious for, as he put it, “real world experience”. At first I was hesitant. The last thing I needed was a young man who suddenly felt trapped and terrified once he realized that people fire real bullets at your head. But then I learned that his previous military service included a one-year deployment to Iraq. He’s had his share of real bullets.

For the next week, I will brief them on the situation as we prep for the months ahead.