Athane and her late husband and photojournalist, Desmond Scholtz, opened the Eastern Province Herald Garden Route Bureau in South Africa for the broadsheet in 2004. The publication was founded in May 1845 by Scottish immigrant John Paterson and while Athane specializes in feature writing, she and Paterson both earned their chops in daily news reporting. Athane now freelances for online and print publications on a wide range of topics including human interest, people profiles, lifestyle, tourism, and all of the issues and impacts of modern life. Her accolades include serving as editor for the glossy Garden Route magazine, South.

Based on South Africa’s  Garden Route, she has extensive understanding and insight into the socio-economic environment of the Garden Route, Southern Cape region and Western Cape Province.

With more than 30 years’ journalism and professional communications experience, and the life experience to color outside of the lines, she is a storyteller whose straightforward style lends authentic observation and perspective. Her writing might make you laugh or cry. Her voice is positive and encouraging. She always aims to lift the spirit.