02-08-2025
‘Beachfront Barry' releases memoir, Positive Living
Popular and controversial in equal measure, former Ballito nomad Barry Godwin has recorded his life story in a memoir titled Positive Living.
The book was launched at Ekhaya Guest House on Saturday afternoon, at an event hosted by Richard Finch of the Ballito Book Readers Club. Around 30 people attended and, after asking questions of Godwin and enjoying a reading from the book, each left with a signed copy.
'His story is incredible, you are going to laugh and cry, but above all, you are going to think,' said local photographer Barry Bowditch, who was instrumental in helping Godwin publish the book.
'I would like to thank my wife Denise, who spent thousands of hours translating Barry's beautiful handwriting into type,' he added, noting that it was left unchanged from the original handwritten notes, errors and all.
Godwin was long a fixture on the Ballito beachfront with his dog Rasta, and has experienced both temporary and long-term homelessness since 1991, along with time spent in prison. He now lives on a farm outside Dundee.
'If I sleep in a tent, in my rondawel or outside, I enjoy my life being simple,' said Godwin.
'I couldn't be more comfortable – in my mind.'
Positive Living is available for R200 if collected from Bowditch, who can be contacted at 082 256 0006. Delivery fee extra.
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