February 11, 2005
By Lucille Davie
JOHANNESBURG is a "busy, busy beehive", says popular clinical sexologist Elna McIntosh; the pace is very fast and everything is available.
"We are just spoilt here, people in other parts of the country are deprived. You don't need to go overseas, everything is here," she adds.
McIntosh, a sex educator and therapist with more than 20 years experience, is also a canoeist, cyclist and runner, and a recent visit to Wemmer Pan in southern Joburg, which she describes as "not a pretty place", was "exquisite at sunset".
Otherwise, to take in the pleasures of the city, she sits on her balcony in Sandton, from where she has a 180° view of Johannesburg, in the evenings. "I can see the tip of Ponte, the city's forest, and the glass RMB building at Sandton City, which reflects different light in the mornings and evenings."
Although born in Port Elizabeth, McIntosh has lived in Joburg since she was five - and doesn't see herself living anywhere else.
She's well known for giving sex advice on radio: on Radio Metro her programme was called "True Love Live". Another programme, "Sexually Speaking", was broadcast on Radio 702 and Cape Talk Radio. She also gives sex advice on two websites: www.health24.com and True Love, and these days makes guest appearances on radio.
The therapist is also busy making a 13-part documentary for M-Net, called "SexEtc", scheduled to be aired in March.
The owner of the Disa Sexual Health Clinic in Sandton, where she and her staff give advice and counselling on STDs and contraceptives, and conduct pap smears and abortions, McIntosh also runs women's groups and workshops at the clinic, and offers therapy to couples.
Her achievements in sport are impressive: she's run seven Comrades Marathons, completed three Dusi Canoe Marathons, climbed Mt Kilimanjaro twice and done the Iron Man Triathlon.
In addition, she is on the brink of offering a sexology course on the Internet, through the University of Pretoria, as well teaching at Unisa. And, although she had a great offer a year ago to teach at the University of Chicago, she turned it down. "I'll spend the rest of my days here in Joburg," she says happily.
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