INTERVIEW: TV and radio personality Carol Ofori

For South African television and radio personality Carol Ofori, celebrating her heritage is ingrained into her everyday life. As someone who is proudly South African, Carol has her roots etched deep in the country and everything it stands for.

Carol is so inspired by South Africa and Africa as a whole that she has written a series of six children’s books titled The African Adventures of Sena and Katlego.

The book series, published by Lingua Franca Publishers, is a delightful and educational read for children celebrating Africa and its various countries, landscapes, traditions and more.

To celebrate Heritage Day, Carol shares the importance of honouring her heritage as a South African, a mom and an African.

Why do you think it’s so important to celebrate our heritage as South Africans?

I think it’s important to celebrate our heritage as South Africans because it allows us to remember just how dynamic we are. We are passionate about our food and culture in every single way, and knowing where we come from also aids us in doing better in where we are going. It also reminds us to preserve our culture.

What makes you the proudest to be South African?

I just love being South African. We have such a painful history, and yet, as a people, we can laugh, celebrate, and come together. Our country is going through the most right now, and it’s often hard to see the positives, but I am still so proud in light of it all.

What cuisine reminds you the most of your heritage?

In South Africa, we have so many delicious meals, but, for me, a hearty South African stew reminds me the most of my heritage. My mom always made a great stew and dumplings! And, of course, pap! I have my own off days with pap, but it remains so proudly South African. I also love eating samp, which reminds me so much of our heritage. Creamy samp is always a winner. Oh, and let’s not forget a braai!

How important is your heritage to you in how you raise your children?

My heritage is so important to my family and me. Our nanny is a Pedi lady who speaks Sepedi with my kids, and it’s great to see their grasp of the language. I live in KZN now, and my children are learning Zulu at school, so I love the dynamics of that in our household. My husband is also Ashanti, a tribe in Ghana and the kids are growing up with a mix of South African and Ghanaian heritage, which is so inspiring to watch. We truly are a pan-African household, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

One of the books in your new children’s book series celebrates South African culture and heritage. What was your goal when creating such a book for young South African minds?

I wrote these books for young, South African minds to be curious about the continent. I wanted children to learn about the continent from a positive place where they have taken an interest in reading and learning more. The unification of Africans is such an essential thing for me. As South Africans, we are part of a bigger pie, and embracing each other will allow us to start thinking of ways to work together and move this entire continent forward. In doing so, each of our countries will thrive.

Why do you think sharing South African stories and having South African conversations is essential for children around the country?

It’s important to share South African stories, and it’s important to share African stories. It’s important to have these conversations. When children hear things from their parents, they remember the things you say, so when you read to them, it’s so impactful. Having books like these that spark conversations around our continent, I wanted to ensure that parents are equipped with great answers, great insights and great stories to share with their children about who we are as South Africans and who we are as Africans.

The African Adventures of Sena and Katlego book series is now available in bookstores and online stores around the country.