Magazine - Jason Hunter - What are you like?

By Editor in People on 28th Dec 2008 10:00

Jason Hunter, aka Sipho, winter sports groundsman at Charterhouse School, has a 'thing' about young couples, the old, teachers ... anger management beckons!

Who are you? Jason Malcolm Siphoxolo Mzingeli Hunter Esq., Lead Groundsman winter sports (that doesn't mean I only work in the winter!) .
Status (married, single, children etc.)? Single, but hoping not for too much longer.

Who's your hero and why? My hero for the month of September is Mr. Adrian Beagly - Deputy Grounds Manager. Charterhouse School. He has been a groundsman at the school for 40 years and it shows. He often needs a little guidance from a certain South African ; )

What is your dream holiday? Around the world tour I would think! But, I'll never be able to afford that now, will I?

What annoys you the most? People asking me "when am I going back home?" (I was born in South Africa) My usual answer is at 17:00.

What would you change about yourself? My height - from when I was knee high to a grasshopper I always wanted to be tall - nothing's changed, I'm still knee high to a grasshopper!

Who wouldn't you like to be? Tony Blair. Imagine having to sleep next to Cherie!!

Favourite record, and why? SA Rugby winning the World Cup twice in four events. Why? Just so I can wind up Pitchcare Peter. (I can see that this questionnaire was set up by an older gentleman!) - It's 'Homeless' by Paul Simon and Lady Smith Black Mambazo - I love the melody.

Who would you choose to spend a romantic evening with? A future girlfriend maybe?

If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do? I would get straight on the phone. The Euro Millions must get the cheque ready and I want a million in cash, all £50s straight in the hand - none of this money counselling nonsense. If the line was busy I would be straight in the van to the London office waiting for the doors to open. (I have the map printed already - I know, I know, how sad, but you've got to have a line in the water to catch fish).

If you were to describe yourself as a musical instrument, what would you be? A drum - I would like to think that I am persistent.

What's the best advice you have ever been given? Always finish a task that you have undertaken - if at first you don't succeed try, try again - that's why I'm on my second million - the first one was a stuff up!!

What's your favourite smell? Freshly mown grass with that hint of two-stroke smoke seasoned with a clogged air filter.

What three words would you use to describe yourself? Persistent, honourable and faithful.

What talent would you like to have? What, another one? I would love to be able to succeed in sports. I'm always the caddie, the scorer or the designated driver!

What makes you angry? Young couples discussing their monthly budget in front of the Auto Teller (that's the hole in the wall to you Brits). Old people that do their shopping at the local Sainsburys on a Saturday morning - they have all week to do it, why on a Saturday morning? And, the worst is the teachers at the school when they get back from eight weeks of holiday to find all the football ready, school looking immaculate etc., etc. "Hi, how are you, did you have a good holiday?" "Yeah thanks - it's amazing how well the elves have cut the grass" is the answer I would really like to give. (Reading this I think I need to go for anger management)

What law/legislation would you like to see introduced? I think Groundsmen should not have to pay taxes!

Read more articles in People, by Editor or from December 2008.