A TRIBUTE TO KIM CLAYTON-MILLAR

A TRIBUTE TO KIM CLAYTON-MILLAR

A few weeks ago, I wrote a story about my “first” experience of being on the red carpet for the SAFTA awards (South African Film & Television Awards) that I was privileged to attend with my friend Kim Clayton-Millar from the STAR. You may remember that it was an evening of glamour and excitement and sadly for me it has now become the last memory that I will have of Kim.

It is with a great sense of sadness and loss that I am here today to tell you of the passing of Kim.

Kim and I first met in 1971. I was a junior at Mabelreign Girls High in Zimbabwe at the time and Kim, being a few years older than me – a senior. Our lives crossed again whilst I was at Speciss College in the then Rhodesia and Kim who was passionate about writing, worked at the Bowling Alley, where all us students used to congregate, whilst she waited , not so patiently for the post that she wanted, above all else to become vacant in the then Rhodesian Herald – the leading newspaper at that time. She finally got that position and we were all so proud of our friend “the journalist”!

Both Kim and I belonged to a huge circle of friends who went everywhere together and did everything together. Whether it was hitchhiking to Gwelo (a town about 300 kms away) to attend a party or dressing up to go to Le Coq Dor, our favourite hangout place that we used to frequent to listen to her brother Bernie who was the lead singer in a group called Circus, who was very popular at the time here in South Africa, but who used to travel home regularly to visit the “folks”. There are many memories of happy, laughter filled Sunday lunches at “Annie’s” (Kim’s mother) and semi serious discussions of “the meaning of life”, that we never quite concluded, and always seemed to resurrect (just to see where the discussion would go now) over the years. Of persuading Kim to sing - it usually took a few vodka’s in those days. I will never forget the first time I heard her sing – the hair stood up on my arms, the crowd quietened as everyone watched this tiny person with the big rich, bold, husky voice, sing from her very soul!

Kim left for Johannesburg and joined the STAR and I went off to search for my future in Cape Town and we lost touch for several years, but I always knew where to find her – where stories were to be told, where music was to be made and where entertainment abounded – there I would always be able to find Kim.

I re-located to Johannesburg in the early 1980’s and once again hooked up with Kim and Annie. The “old” times came flooding back and we rushed about town going to all the “hotspots” where Kim made magic, with the stories she told of the lives she crossed. Lives full of promise, full of talent and full of dreams. It was Kim’s job to tell the world about these wonderfully blessed individuals who would bring so much joy and entertainment to our lives.
Sadly again Kim and I lost contact as I moved from the banking world into the Corporate world and finally out of the Corporate World into the Entrepreneur world, where I now own my own business. Late last year Kim and I hooked up again and neither of us could believe that more than 10 years had passed since we had last seen one another – yet we chatted as if it were no more than a few days. We laughed at all the “remember when” and “when last have you seen…” comments and discussions that abounded and all the “catch up conversations” – 10 years worth of memories can take quite a long time to tell you know.

We went to several shows together, the last one being the SAFTA awards and as I watched my friend’s health slowly deteriorate, I was constantly reminded of how important it is for us to live our lives to the full. Kim, although constantly battling with illness was full of laughter and jokes. She was always interested in hearing the story – every person has a story to tell and her passion was to write the story.

She was well known, well respected and much loved. She will be sadly missed by all whose lives she touched.

Herewith a copy of the unsubbed obituary that will appear in the STAR this afternoon.

"By Tonight Staffers
Kim Clayton-Millar was short and stout but larger and louder than life than life. She played various roles in The Star and most recently as a TV writer at the National Tonight, but previously she had been a news editor, music writer and acting Tonight editor and listings editor.Kim died today after a year of illness in which she was hospitalised twice, but each time she returned to work with many plans for improving her health.
She joined The Star for the first time about 28 years ago in the syndication department. For Kimmy the new millennium presented a challenge because she needed to integrate herself into a world of music that included kwaito and other such non-Rock and Roll delights. For Kimbo, the world was a place where feather boas, sequins and leopard skin outfits should rule supreme. She even went so far, two years ago, to earn extra money by making her inimitable "orgasmatrons" - strange-looking objects covered in faux leopard skin and feathers, which would be used to tickle the scalp. Kimmy also wandered the first floor of The Star's building flogging chocolate penises in two different shades of brown and one in white.Kimbo's knowledge of music from the 1960s onwards was impeccable, and if anyone ever had to remember the name of some obscure character in a soapie, she was the walking encyclopaedia. In almost every conversation, she would cause much laughter amongst her colleagues be ending any sentence with "blah blah fishpaste".
Those who had been invited to her flat over the years bore witness to a work-in-progress: an ever-evolving collection of vinyls, gadgets and freebie gimmicks she had acquired through the various television, music, gaming and entertainment companies.
When she returned to The Star after she attempted to start a business which failed, she had lost all her money and some of her spirit. But, those who knew her were privileged to see from time-to-time her laughter and naughtiness return with her husky voice and sense of humour. During her time at The Star she was no stranger to grief her brother and her best friend died within months of each other. But each time Kim returned, shouldering the devastation and continuing with her work.
Kimmy looked after her beloved mother Annie and those who were seated near her could overhear conversations with her mother that showed her intensity of feeling and concern for her mother's welfare.
We will miss you, Kimmy, and we know your friends and loved ones are waiting for you in heaven. "

My thoughts go to Annie, who must surely be devastated and her brother Bernie. To all her friends, acquaintances and colleagues – I am sure you will never forget her and I am equally sure that she will never forget you either.

Goodbye my friend, may the Gods (whomever you perceive them to be) make your journey to where ever you have gone, safe and secure.