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- Janine van der Post became editor of Wheels24 in late-2019.
- She is the first female editor of a major motoring publication.
- Van der Post is one of the pioneers for female journalists in South Africa.
With fuel pumping through her veins, Janine van der Post always knew what she wanted to do with her life. It was never about Barbies and dressing up - like her daughter, who she always says is the opposite of her when growing up - instead it was spending time with her dad, Marcus Gordon, and his 'mint green' Ford Escort.
Janine carved her way out in this very male-dominated industry and helped pioneer the industry for many others alongside the likes of Jeanette Kok-Kritzinger, Clare Vale, Charleen Clarke, and Liana Reiners - to mention only a few.
BECOMING EDITOR
Anyone who knows Janine can attest to how much love she has for Wheels24. Throughout stints at publications in Cape Town and Johannesburg, Janine always had the burning desire to return to the Mother City and be a part of the Wheels24 team. That desire never went away, and everything she did in life was with the intent of coming home.
Whether it was interviewing a personality or attending a motoring event, it all culminated in her joining the Wheels24 team and, a few years after that, becoming editor in the latter stages of 2019.
READ: Women in Wheels | South Africa's most acclaimed motoring journalist – Charleen Clarke
It was a natural fit for Janine to fill the role. Her passion for Wheels24 is tangible, and seeing it reach new heights is what she lives for. Throughout her stint so far, she steered the publication into a fresh, new content direction and made it her mission to publish motoring stories that will resonate with the readers.
Her weekly column, Driving with J9, is a massive success and she is bombarded with daily emails from readers who want to engage with her on the various topics she addresses.
A MOTHER HEN
Janine is a self-proclaimed petrol head, but it's the nickname from her underground days that draws a fair amount of respect: SpeedQueen, or SQ, as she is still fondly known. Long before marrying her husband, Janine would chase the thrill of top speed runs and push herself to cover the distance between points A and B in the quickest possible time. That's what she became known for in both underground races, and the motor industry as a journalist.
She can handle a car and push it beyond its limits without flinching, but things changed when she and Clavern tied the knot and her daughter, Sloane, came into the picture. But she realised in her early years how ignorant young enthusiasts were and tried her best to encourage legal racing activities and got involved with local car clubs and numerous charity events. And while she's still SQ at heart, her family is her number one priority.
Her motherly instincts are not just restricted to their home, because she will approach her Wheels24 tasks with that same care and passion. She wants the best for her team and would put admin aside to assist wherever her team needs her; wherever and whenever. Her editorial style is quite different from what one would expect from an editor, but it creates a sense of harmony and oneness. She can be tough when needed but listens carefully, and you'll soon realise that she only wants to see you excel.
August has been a good month for the Women in Wheels series, and Janine's is the perfect story to close the month with and herald the continuation of it as we celebrated the women of South Africa's automotive industry.
For more motoring stories go to www.Wheels24.co.za
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