Ashling McCarthy is a graphic designer, craft developer, anthropologist, non-profit founder, writer. While they might appear to be unconnected, the next step only occurred because of the one before it, and each continues to influence my work. Ashling holds a master degree in social anthropology and paints professionally, she founded an educational non-profit. Although living in Durban, Ashling’s heart is firmly in the Zululand, where most of her social development work, and wildlife watching takes places.
Ashling found the driving plot line of the Down at Jika Jika Tavern through interaction she had at a Game Reserve in 2013. Her family was enjoying the warm evening air when a gun shot rung out in the area making her and her friend believe that a rhino poaching was afoot, a common occurrence in the Game reserve they were visiting. An attempted rhino poaching had occurred in the area that night and it brought together the ideas that had been culminating in her mind for a book.
Down at Jika Jika Tavern shares the terrible realities of rhino poaching in South Africa while also giving a different perspective on what influences people to do the things they do. The book also celebrates and explores the relationships between different classes, different races, and faiths. To create a story that provides an in depth, colourful account of the lived realities of others in South Africa.
Read more about the journey to creating Down at Jika Jika Tavern on her website, click here for more
