Precious Kofi – Remarkable Presenter and now Producer
The words beautiful, creative, outspoken can all aptly describe this young lady but before she is all the above, she is a young South African woman, making her mark in the media industry and inspiring many as she goes al
The words beautiful, creative, outspoken can all aptly describe this young lady but before she is all the above, she is a young South African woman, making her mark in the media industry and inspiring many as she goes along! From acting in an advertisement at a very young age, presenting shows such as Hip To Be Squared and The Precious Show (which was later renamed Keeping It Real With Precious), she has had a long journey to her current position as the proud owner of Kofi productions.
Aliyana magazine had to speak to this talented and all rounded young woman so that she can enlighten us on exactly what it is she has been up too and give us more insight on her new production company and the exciting new show!
S.A hasn’t seen much of you on our screens since EMS volume1. What have you been busy with?
P: The reason why I haven’t been on screen is that firstly I’m very weary of being over exposed. When you’re sick of seeing yourself on air, know that it’s time to take a break and explore other avenues which is what I did. To ensure a longevity and financial stability in the TV business, I co founded a television production company called Kofi Productions. It’s been a challenging yet rewarding experience and finally our first production called Precious Africa will be launching on the 11th of August 2009
What spurred your interest in becoming a producer?
P: I wouldn’t really call myself a producer as all that I do is come up with the TV concepts, pitch to funders and broadcasters and when we get the gig, I hire an experienced TV producer. I’ve always had a drive to have a significant say in the editorial of a program and finally my current position, executive producer, allows me to do just that.
Who are the women producers that you admire and which qualities that they posses would you like to personally adopt?
P:It’s probably be very cliché of me to say this but Oprah has set the bar on what women can achieve and I know that other young women like me are up for the challenge of going even further than that!
Changing roles from presenter to producer must have been a challenging one, what were the golden rules or lessons you learnt in that transition?
P: I’m lucky to have never felt comfortable as just being a presenter, to a point where my past producers needed to put me in my place when I wonder into their positions. The transition has been very natural for me, I enjoy the role of leadership, I enjoy learning from others and I welcome growth.
As a young producer, do you feel that your ideas or visions are respected as much as those of more experienced, older producer?
P: This depends on the people you surround yourself with; if you hire close minded people then your voice might never be heard. Either way I may be young and in some ways inexperienced, but I know my strengths and I’m aware of my short comings so I surround myself with people that compliment me.
You are truly a young woman of many wonders. Not only are you a presenter and actress, producer but also the head of your own production company, Kofi productions.
How did Kofi productions come about?
P: It came about at a time when I needed to take control of my destiny; I couldn’t just sit there and wait for the phone to ring. As we all know the TV industry is incredibly fickle, you need to be on top of your game for you to cultivate a career that you yourself respect. I create authentic African programming, I want my shows to make Africa local, and having a production company allows me to do just that.
What does Kofi Productions have in store for us?
P: Our first program is called Precious Africa and it’s a story of an ordinary South African girl who travels to other Africa countries and learns about what makes us one as a continent. The episodes vary in experiences as we see the red, green and gold which make up the blood that has been shed, the fertile land as well as the wealth in our continent. Oh and that girl is me! We hope that through this show, young people in South Africa will gain a desire to explore our continent.
What challenges did you face travelling in these parts of Africa?
P: Being out of my comfort zone was quite a challenge because I’m a home body that enjoys the company of my family.
What are you hoping the viewers, especially the young people in S.A learn from this?
P: Young people in South Africa will see that in fact the pain of a 20 something year old in Gulu Uganda is also your pain. Pain is universal, love is universal and the rest of the continent is part of our home. We need to wake up and realise that Sudan is in a revival and that they want and need our support as the South African youth. I hope that we as young South Africans learn to embrace our continent; otherwise Africa will never be free!
Let’s shift the focus back onto you and how you managed to turn these ideas into reality. How hard or easy was it for you?
P: I know who I am. I am a child of God and therefore my word is powerful. When I say I want something, I get it because God’s got my back!
You’ve given us an idea of who Precious the producer and presenter is, now we’d like to know a bit of Precious, the girl next door! Here are sentences I’ve left unfinished so that you can complete!
When a guy takes me out he should…. make me laugh so that I can forget my deadlines!
Odd habits that people who love me hate are… I’m lazyL
Never ever will I…. relax my hair!
During an ad break I…. eat and prepare for the next segment
An embarrassing moment was when…. I’m quite a klutz so I’m over being embarrassed!
Running in heels….it more like running in slip slops or takkies, I’m afraid of heights!
Before we end this interview off, do you have any words of wisdom that you’d like to leave our readers with?
P:Love is the greatest emotion, it has so much power. Put love first and all that you do will rock!
Well readers there you have it! Hopefully now you have a better idea of who this lovely lady, well known for her huge and proudly African afro is, and are inspired to “Put love first!” Remember that success is inevitable if you not only work hard but are genuinely in love and passionate about what you do!
Be Sure to catch her very exciting show called Precious Africa on SABC1 from the 11 of August at 21:00
2:41 am on November 12th, 2009
Look I watch the show (Precious Africa) almost every day and its informative.There is something she said the other day, I quote “The people around you reflects who you are.”
For me that was a powerful statement from this young lady and i must say that she is an ispiration to me and a lot of people I know. As a Media Production student, one day I will work with her, at least thats what I wish but I have to say that I respect her and I wish her all the best with her career and her new company Kofi Productions.
For your hair, that is a brand now and I love it. I wish all African girls can learn that natural hair is nicer than these artificial hiar they have.
Thank you.
Kindly regards.
Bongani Mthethwa
4:11 am on November 20th, 2009
i real love precious words especial when she talk about God
10:38 am on November 21st, 2009
YOU ROCK MY WORLD KOFI THANKYOU.
4:53 am on November 24th, 2009
i love precious Africa its something new in tv and fresh big up precious im inspired by what you are doing im the media industry
12:31 am on November 25th, 2009
hi
i just finished a video production course and i am looking for a job, how do i go about looking for one? i love watching precious Africa its inspiring.
12:50 am on November 25th, 2009
I have watched three episodes of Precious Africa and i am in awe of your wisdom and the concept of this program. You make the people you talk to shine. You come out as this genuinely beautiful person both inside and outside. Your confidence shines through. Thank you so much for doing this. There is always so much negativity about Africa and you are showing a very different side that does not skeet around the pain we as a continent have gone through but you show the amazing spirit we as Africans have. The Sudan episode for me was the most beautiful. Keep up the good work.
12:42 am on November 30th, 2009
Hi P.
Looking at today`s young ladies or girls makes me concerned of the future, especially as our leaders always say youth of today is the future leaders.
Looking at you makes one feel proud, gives a great hope and it makes one see the future brighter.
I am very happy about what you doing in Africa and it is helping in terms of opening our eyes, I once spent time overseas and it helped a lot to see how beautiful our country is!
I am very inspired with you work and you motivated me a lot in making my dreams a reality.
One day I will give you a call to be the ambassador of the organization, I want to start in the Eastern Cape to help the young girls and guys to see and make the future bright for everyone instead of what I see at the moment.
Thank you and keep up the good work Maradebe, I hope andikula hlanga!!!
2:23 am on November 30th, 2009
hi, I haven’t had the opportunity to watch the most of the passed episodes, but the few Ive watched stole my breath. but I was more overwhelmed by the intelligence of people of Southern Uganda. I’ve never been so impressed by people’s observation of life events. when they answer questions they dont patronise. they answer from the heart with intelligence.
can I purchase the video of the documentary you made in Uganda? if yes, how do I go about it?
thank you
3:24 am on December 2nd, 2009
Hi
The concept behind the program is very interesting, it’s very original and i really enjoy. I hope it changes the way people see our african brothers and maybe they will stop calling them foreigners as we are all africans. It’s a refreshing program
thanks
10:18 am on December 11th, 2009
Hey – i’m a video editor and never had the opportunity to watch a single Episode but my Sis in Law has and dig’s it – i’m just gon say big up to the young guns comming out of SA – much luv Precious
Though it would be nice to own a Production Co. and have a say in what get flighted – keep it up Girl
9:53 pm on December 15th, 2009
we missed some of your program’s,and we would really really like to see it again.Please let us know when the re broadcast will show,it has to .It is like muti for the soul.Precious for President.We really love .Thank you for such a honest look at our precious continent
5:04 am on January 27th, 2010
This young lady will fly. As long as Precious keeps it real with God and gets focused then nothing will stop her.Let us all be the wind beneath her wings.
I would like a complete set f the edpisodes. How can i get copies I am based in Malawi
7:03 am on January 27th, 2010
Nwabisa
You rock girl.
11:11 pm on January 31st, 2010
I watched precious Afica, but not sure if I was watching the program or the presenter hehe. Well you are surely talented and have been gifted that is for sure, your natural beauty complete with that cheecky smile is all that is required to get us all watching. The program was not only brilliant but so infomative which makes for success, God bless you young lady and may you have love and happiness forever. Love to buy you coffee one day hehe.
7:56 am on February 18th, 2010
keep up your good work and please promise your self and your family that you will never change…to do that ke is to pray always ne, love you again sisi! you should know me or your mother does know us because she used to work with my husband:)well done ntombendala
7:59 am on February 18th, 2010
we are so proud of you mntanam…everyone from Imizamo yethu e Hout Bay, we love you and all your programs…God Bless you always.
11:45 am on February 22nd, 2010
I just want to say that you are a go-getter at such a young age,you have inspired me a lot now i believe i can live my dreams because of your courage and keep it up not all young women can be successful like you,it takes the heart of a lion in this corporate world.We love you all from Nocanda Family at Queenstown,Sada.
2:25 am on March 2nd, 2010
Girl, you are blessed. Keep on inspiring us to have goals and achieve them. Much love.
12:44 am on March 11th, 2010
I LOVE THE FACT THAT SHE IS DOWN TO EARTH AND THAT SHE WILL NEVER RELAXE HER HAIR JUST LIKE ME AND SHE MUST KEEP ON DOIN THE GOOD WORK.BIG UP TO HER
3:21 am on April 7th, 2010
Precious you are just an inspiration to other young stars
1:54 am on April 15th, 2010
Hey Precious you inspiring me because you did a great job.I am 23 year so you are you make me proud as an Afrcan girl to be about of who & what I am.Girl you rock keep it up.LOVE YOU Preciou….