About Andrew St Pierre White

My name is Andrew St.Pierre White I am a film-maker, author, publisher and a recognized authority on four-wheel drive and the owner/operator of 4xforum.com

By background is TV commercials, having spent 16 years editing them for many blue-chip clients in the ‘80s and ‘90s. Working under several directors and editing many hundreds of commercials I have been awarded several international awards for editing including New York TV and Cannes. Some of my clients included SAB (Lion Lager, Castle Lager, Ohlsonn’s Lager), Nedbank, Toyota, United Bank, General Tyres, Rembrant Group, (Peter Stuyvesant & Paul Revere cigarettes)

Click here to view some of my commercials

In the 90’s my direction changed and I spent the first year of the decade living in the Okavango Delta in Botswana. It was there that I wrote my first book, on a subject which at the time was no more than a hobby, called ‘The Complete Guide to Four-Wheel Drive’. The immediate success of the book, which was quickly followed by a second, lead to the creation of ‘International Motoring Productions’, a company dedicated to the publishing of books, DVDs and maps, aimed largely, but not solely, at the 4x4 industry and enthusiast. Also included was the intention to produce television programming with subjects ranging from 4x4s, adventure travel and aviation.

I was born in England, my parents are from Australia and New Zealand and I have lived in South Africa all my adult life. I live in a small-holding not far from the town of Pietermaritzburg in the Natal Midlands , Natal Province. I am married to Gwynn and have three children, Stephanie, Erin and Kate. 

My passions are aircraft and glider flying, making documentary films, family time and travel, especially into the wilderness in my 4x4, a passion that has been with me since my father took me to the Okavango in 1972. It was here that I sat in my first 4x4: A Series-3 LWB Land Rover. The first 4x4 motion I experienced was the Land Rover being backed hurriedly into a tree. It broke the tail light.

The second ride was in a Series-2, SWB open-top Land Rover at Xaxaba Camp (Later to become a baboon research camp) on Chief’s Island in the Okavango. It was here that I went off-road for the first time: I remember Lloyd Wilmot driving the Rover, chasing hyena across the runway he was building, and the vehicle hitting an anthill, shooting me high into the air. From being seated in the front, I landed inside the spare wheel lying in the back. I was hooked!

The rest of my story can be viewed by downloading the video called, ‘4x4 Adventure Stories’, which begins with me driving my Dad’s Range Rover when I was twelve up to 1990 when I bought my first, brand new 4x4. It includes so many of the trips I took during my early learning experiences in a 4x4. Since then my business has flourished and I surely must have one of the greatest jobs in the world!

Between 1996 and 2006, the following has been achieved:

Books

13 books, 10 of which for ourselves and three for clients (eg. Toyota)

DVDs and TV

  • Three 4x4 ‘How-To” DVDs.
  • One GPS training program (on DVD)
  • Two aviation documentaries, one of which has been broadcast on Discovery Channel.
  • TV-series, 13 parts. Broadcast on Mnet, SuperSport and Sky Tv New Zealand. Also released on DVD. 1000 sold in eight weeks.
  • 2nd 13-part TV series to be broadcast 2007.

Maps

  • InfoMap is a brand of highly-detailed maps of the Southern Africa. Currently 14 titles: Namibia, Mozambique, Namibia, Lesotho, Tanzania, Swaziland, Richtersveld, North Natal Coast, Cape West Coast, Waterberg, Drakensberg, Kaokoland, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana.
  • Digital products. The above maps in digital form with waypoints ready for GPS up-load.
  • Digital GIS GPS digital maps, now two and with many more to come.

Internet

  • 4xforum.com was launched in 1996. Content involves 4x4s and everything associated with them. To celebrate ten years the site is currently undergoing a major change, The new site, due to go on-line mid February, will contain almost everything contained in our books and DVDs. Mostly a free site, there will be sections that will require payments (e.g. video downloads) Bridgestone Firestone currently sponsor the website. Visits average 40 000 monthly. During the screening of the first 4x4 series, visits soared to 139 000 visits in the month of November 2005.

My 4x4s

Many people wish to know what 4x4 do I drive and what is my favourite 4x4. I have driven hundreds and owned seven 4x4s. My favourite: Mercedes Benz G-Wagen, the 290 turbo-diesel is particularly nice. The List of 4x4 that I have owned are listed here. Many have a long history and most of the latest were very well equipped. Click the link to find out more about them and how I equipped them.

My first 4x4, a 1971 Range Rover
Land Rover Defender V8
Range Rover (Classic) 1996
Mercedes 290 GD
Land Rover DIscovery V8 (Mk1)
Toyota Land-Cruiser FJ79 Double-Cab
Mercedes Benz 290 GD
Toyota Land Cruiser 100GX SW
Toyota Land Cruiser-70 Wagon. This is the vehicle I now own.


My philosophy I have good relationships with only some vehicle manufacturers: Those who do not speak to me, I think, are nervous of what I might write. My strength, and the reason why I have printed and sold over 100 000 books, lies in the statement written on the cover of the latest edition. It says, “EVERYTHING YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT 4X4. ADVICE THAT IS INDEPENDENT, HONEST AND IMPARTIAL.”.

Many (most) motoring publications have their editorial vetted to please the advertisers. I will not do this and have lost advertising revenue because I have refused to alter text prior to publication. I have, the way I see it, even been blacklisted from some manufacturers because of what I have written. My opinions are based on my own experiences, observations, other’s opinions I respect and an in-depth knowledge of the subject. I figure: My readers and viewers want to know what I think, not what the vehicle makers’ think.

Keeping it this way has been a challenge, after all, there is bread to be put on the table. But thus far, the pleasure I get out of doing this work in the most unbiased and honest manner that I can, rewards me immensely.

I do answer 4x4 related questions, but will only consider doing so via email. I do not take phone calls to answer unsolicited questions. If I did, I couldn’t get any work done. Also, many common questions are on the FAQ section of this website. And, just about all of them are covered in my book, which can be downloaded or purchased from this web site.

Enjoy the website
Yours truly,
Andrew St. Pierre White.