Jani Allan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jani Allan
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Allan in 2010
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| Born | 11 September 1952 |
| Died | 25 July 2023 (aged 70) |
| Citizenship |
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| Education | University of the Witwatersrand |
| Occupation | Journalist, broadcaster, author |
| Employer |
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| Spouse(s) |
Gordon Schachat
(m. 1982–1984)Dr Peter Kulish
(m. 2002–2005) |
| Partner(s) |
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Jani Allan (born September 11, 1952 – died July 25, 2023) was a well-known South African journalist, writer, and radio person. She became one of the first big media stars in her country during the 1980s and 1990s.
In 1980, Allan started writing for the Sunday Times. This was South Africa's largest weekly newspaper. She wrote popular columns like Just Jani and Face to Face. A poll in 1987 found her to be the "most admired person in South Africa." Many people, like Marianne Thamm, called her the most important writer in the country.
Allan also wrote for magazines in Britain. She returned to South Africa in 1996. There, she wrote online columns and hosted a radio show on Cape Talk. In 2015, her book Jani Confidential was published. She continued to write for different newspapers and magazines. Allan lived in the United States from 2001 until she passed away in 2023.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Jani Allan was adopted when she was one month old. Her adoptive parents were John Murray Allan and Janet Sophia Henning. Her father was a newspaper editor. Her mother was an antiques dealer. Jani grew up in Randburg and Bryanston, South Africa.
She went to Franklin D. Roosevelt Primary School and Blairgowrie Primary School. Later, she attended Roedean School and Greenside High School. Jani was a very talented classical pianist. She played a piano concert on TV as a child. At age 10, she performed with the Johannesburg symphony orchestra. She also earned a degree in Fine Art from the University of the Witwatersrand. She was very good at painting and design.
Journalism Career
Before becoming a journalist, Jani Allan worked as a model. She also taught English and Art at different schools. Her first published writings were music reviews. These appeared in The Citizen newspaper.
Writing for the Sunday Times
In 1980, Allan started writing a column for the Sunday Times. This was the biggest weekly newspaper in South Africa. She also wrote music reviews called Radio Jani. She even had a pop news spot on Springbok Radio. In 1986, she began writing Jani Allan's Week.
Jani Allan became very popular. In 1987, a poll by the Sunday Times named her "the most admired person in South Africa." She was seen as a very influential writer. In 1988, her column changed to "Face to Face." This column focused more on political topics. During this time, South Africa was separated by a system called apartheid. Allan interviewed important political leaders. These included Eugène Terre'Blanche and Winnie Mandela.
Working in London
By 1990, Allan was writing a regular column for Scope magazine. She wrote this column from her home in London. Scope was once the most popular English magazine in South Africa. She also wrote for the London Sunday Times. There, she interviewed famous people like Charlton Heston.
Allan also worked for a press agency in London. She interviewed European political figures. Her articles appeared in other British newspapers and magazines. These included the Evening Standard and The Spectator. She also wrote for the Daily Mail.
Return to South Africa
Jani Allan came back to South Africa in 1996. She was featured on the cover of Style magazine. That same year, she became a host on Cape Talk Radio. Her show was called Jani's World. She interviewed many well-known people. These included political leaders and entertainment stars.
Soon after, she started a website called "CyberJani." It had a weekly column and a live chat. She wrote about many different topics. From 2000 to 2001, she worked as a speechwriter for Mangosuthu Buthelezi.
Life in the United States and Later Work
Jani Allan moved to the United States in 2001. Between 2004 and 2005, she wrote for different publications as a freelancer. She also worked as an astrologer, which was a personal interest. In 2006, one of her old columns was republished in a book.
In 2013, Allan started writing a new blog called My Grilling Life. She also joined Twitter. The Mail & Guardian newspaper wrote an article about her return to public life. She announced a new project about her life and South Africa. She also launched a new website.
Allan appeared on radio shows in Johannesburg and Cape Town. She was also interviewed by her old newspaper, the Sunday Times. In 2014, she wrote a column for Dekat magazine. It was a letter from her older self to her younger self.
In April 2020, Allan began writing opinion columns for RT. This is a Russian TV network and news agency.
Jani Confidential Book
In 2015, an interview with Jani Allan was published in Fair Lady magazine. It also included a part from her book, Jani Confidential. Her book was also published in parts by several South African newspapers. These included The Weekend Argus and Rapport. The book was well-received by the Afrikaans press.
Animal Rights Advocacy
Jani Allan cared deeply about animals. On social media, she called herself an "animal rights activist." Her writing often showed her concern for animal welfare.
Personal Life
In 1973, Jani Allan met Gordon Schachat while studying at university. They married in 1982. Their marriage ended in 1984. Allan said her busy career was a reason for the divorce. They remained friends.
In 1994, Allan became a born-again Christian. She moved back to South Africa in 1996. In 2001, she moved to the United States. The next year, she married Dr. Peter Kulish. They divorced in 2005.
After her divorce, Allan worked as a waitress in New Jersey. In 2017, she wrote about her financial situation. She also wrote about how it was hard to find work as an older person. Her column was shared widely in South Africa. She appeared on the front page of the Sunday Times and Beeld newspapers.
Death
Jani Allan passed away from cancer on July 25, 2023. She was 70 years old. She died in Newtown, Pennsylvania, in the U.S.
Images for kids
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Allan with Charlton Heston at the Hyde Park Hotel in 1990 for a Sunday Times (UK) interview
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Promotional poster for M&G interview with Allan in October 2013
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See also
In Spanish: Jani Allan para niños
