Author Clement du Plessis, left, with Nizam Bray, from Somerset West Library, at the launch of his book earlier this month. PICTURE: CARMEN JACOBS
Clement du Plessis launched his book, Other side of the Track, at the Somerset West Library on Wednesday February 15.
At the event, the former teacher, journalist, communications director, journalism lecturer and athlete, enthusiastically told the audience about the publishing journey of his “passion project” which started in 2015.
Mr Du Plessis said he found three old photo albums, while going through his cupboards, and it prompted him to think of ways to preserve the memories and document the irreplaceable content.
“I thought to myself that I better preserve this stuff and my first thought was let me scan it, but social media was around then, and I realised I can start a Facebook page,” says the former professional athlete.
The page, where he posted and captured stories of athletes and their achievements, steamrolled into something bigger and eventually led to the book.
His love and interest in athletics was sparked during childhood and has not wavered since. The location of the library was a kind of full-circle moment for Mr Du Plessis, for he frequented local libraries as young child to read up on his sport heroes.
“I always followed athletics and had that curiosity. I wanted to know who was the best and I always use to go to the library to go read up on it, so I had that background knowledge in my head, not knowing that the culmination would be this. And I always had my camera with me to take pictures.”
The book he says captures the stories of how athletes excelled in various disciplines during the years when they could not showcase their talents and compete internationally.
Asked at the launch if he had left anyone out, Mr Du Plessis said: “I always told myself or questioned myself, did I leave somebody out? Are the people in the book, worthy of being in the book? Is there anybody better than the people in the book in those disciplines? The short answer is no.”
He said he was determined to produce a high-quality book and is pleased with the finished product but added that there were financial challenges along the way.
Funding by athlete Donovan Wright, helped to get the publishing underway but all other expenses were covered by Mr Du Plessis who tried various fund-raising avenues, even crowdfunding. In the end, however, he had to dig deep into his own pockets to fund the book.
“In hindsight money was a challenge. It was silly of me to do it the way I did it that’s why I won’t do it the same way. There are quite a lot of books in my pipeline, but this time I’ll do it differently.”
Despite the financial stumbling blocks, he is happy with the end result.
“I enjoyed the whole process. Athletics is a huge interest of mine. This book would have had quite easily had a sequel but the challenge remains money.”
When asked the he took away from the experience, he said: “Memories”.
“A feather in my cap was when four academics (two professors and two academic doctors) endorsed the book. The book received very high praise and I was overwhelmed by the feedback.”
“The aim of the book was to educate people on the achievements of these athletes, to honour them by capturing their stories. The book must inspire people and the generations after us to take up the sport at the very least, and to say look we also have an athletics history; we could also run,” he concludes.
Former athlete Barry Sickle, who attended the launch, said it exceeded his expectations.
“I came not knowing what to expect. I found it to be very relatable for me as I was living amongst the athletes during those times and many athletes featured in the book are people I use to share rooms and buses with.”
He says the book made him more aware of their back stories.
Other side of the Track, is available at Exclusive Books, or alternatively contact Clement on 082 896 1636 or at crduplessis@telkomsa.net or clementduplessis1964@gmail.com