Alex Coutts

The threads tracked below contributed to the author having written, or being in the process of writing, a range of children’s and adults’ novels as well as books within the fields of education, history, ecology, psychology, and travel.

The author has two doctoral degrees, namely Doctor of Philosophy (Natal: Durban 1989), and Doctor of Education (UNISA, 1982), as well as three lower degrees in the fields of The Arts and Education, and two fulltime teaching diplomas.

The doctorate in philosophy was the first, or one of the first, in South Africa dealing with non-racial education. It led to a period of anti-apartheid activism during the period 1982 to 1993. Over the past three decades, he and his wife Memory have used their home and other resources to assist numerous Zulu boys and girls with board, lodging, education and other needs.

He served as Deputy Rector of the Edgewood College of Education for many years, with portfolios of inter alia Council Member; Chairperson Practical Teaching Committee; College Examinations Officer and numerous other committees, several of which he chaired. He was also Head of Department of Art, Physical Education, Electrical Technika, Electronic Technika, Technical Drawing, Music, Business Economics, Speech and Drama, Needlework, Handicrafts.

Dr Coutts has consulted recently, as educationist, to Merlyn Mehl, retired Professor Emeritus of the University of the Western Cape.

The author chaired the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Research Committee on tourism for ten years. He wrote the cultural first database for Tourism KwaZulu-Natal, thus picking up a considerable amount of factual knowledge in the fields of history, culture, and conservation. With Prof. Ernie Heath, he wrote the motivations that won for the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa the prestigious United Nations Ulysses Award for Tourism (2007). South Africa was the first African country to win the award.

The author was also a fully accredited trainer of South African national and provincial tourist guides during 2003 to 2008, and owner of an award-winning training company. He qualified tourist guides for major Conservation companies, including for areas with dangerous game (The Big Five). He is widely travelled, having visited sixty countries on four continents.

Dr Coutts has been a life member of the Natal Society of Arts for the past thirty years, was a professional Artist for two years with a focus on wildlife and Zulu History, and does all of the paintings for his publications.