October 11, 2004
By Lucky Sindane
IT'S 3pm and Johannesburg's new director of social development, Graeme Bloch, looks preoccupied and sad after visiting the family of a colleague who was shot and killed a few days ago.
It's been a bit difficult finding time for an interview but now that he has made an opening in his day, despite the state he is in, Bloch takes off his jacket, sits back in his chair behind the desk and talks freely about his life - his work, his family, his past.
Bloch was appointed director of social development for the City of Johannesburg in June 2004. All the City's social services, libraries and sport and recreation facilities - with a staff of 82 - fall under his department.
And, while he spends a lot of time working - he sees his job as one of building communities and creating environments that will uplift people living in Johannesburg - Bloch also believes family ties are important.
Married to Cheryl Carolus, activist and former CEO of South African Tourism, Bloch says he doesn't spend as much time as he would like with her as work dictates that they are often in different places.
Bloch, born in 1956 in Cape Town, comes from a large family. He is the second of nine children and learnt at an early age to care for people.
"Being the second born I had to look after my younger brothers and sisters. That is where I got the enthusiasm for caring for people," he says.
After matriculating in 1972 from Westerford High, he studied for a BA in economics and comparative African government at the University of Cape Town.
In 1976 Bloch became involved in politics and was part of the Student Representative Council, which was leading protest marches around Cape Town.
Those days remain vivid in Bloch's memory: he got to meet anti-apartheid activists Beyers Naude and Steve Biko, who inspired him. "In 1976 Beyers Naude came to our campus and warned us that things were happening in Soweto and we should start looking at ourselves. I'll never forget that day."
As a result of his activities, the apartheid government detained him four times, holding him without trial at the Pollsmoor Prison in Cape Town. He was first detained in 1976, twice in 1985 and again in 1989.
While in detention Bloch learnt certain things about life - all of which have helped him to get where he is today. "I learned to work with people, how to achieve goals and management skills. It also gave me contact with black people - it was a whole life of warmth."
Bloch was also served with a banning order, making it difficult for him to find a job. He tried computer programming, but discovered it wasn't for him.
While banned, Bloch continued with his studies, achieving a masters degree cum laude in economic history.
In the mid 1980s he taught history of education at the University of the Western Cape, moving to Johannesburg in 1993, where he joined the Joint Education Trust as a project manager.
In 1996 Bloch became the chief director of social development in the national department of welfare.
Between January 2002 and August 2003 he was the director of the South African International Festival of Books. "I love reading novels and maybe one day I'll write my own."
Bloch loves Joburg and defines it as a caring city, a city that provides world-class activities.
But he also admits that city faces many challenges - the biggest being poverty.
He sees the role of the department of social development as uplifting the people of Johannesburg through empowerment programmes, economic development and the alleviation of poverty.
"We have to develop our sports facilities because sports can take you further. We are currently building a swimming pool in Orange Farm, which is a great thing. We encourage kids to come and learn to swim at an early stage."
For Bloch, reading is also vital to development. "Libraries are crucial. We have to develop a reading society."
Reflecting on the conversation, Bloch sums up his philosophy: "You need to live life to the fullest and find things that will make you happy."
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