“I was asked to give a motivational talk to you today, but I am not sure how to do that,” said Precious Kofi.
These were the opening words of her talk as a part of the Rhodes University Community Engagement Week last Tuesday.
“Instead-” she went on, “I will tell you my story, and hopefully you can find inspiration from that”.
“I was asked to give a motivational talk to you today, but I am not sure how to do that,” said Precious Kofi.
These were the opening words of her talk as a part of the Rhodes University Community Engagement Week last Tuesday.
“Instead-” she went on, “I will tell you my story, and hopefully you can find inspiration from that”.
Speaking to an audience of about 200 people who varied from Grade 11 pupils in Grahamstown high schools, to Rhodes University lecturers and students, Kofi explained how she grew up in Mandela Park, an informal settlement in Hout Bay, and went on to become the SABC personality that the country has come to know and love.
Growing up in an abusive home, and surrounded by alcoholism, her mother told her that this was not going to be her life forever but only a temporary situation.
Fuelled by her mother’s determination, and her own dedication to live up to her potential, Kofi began working towards her career in entertainment.
At the age of 17, she was chosen as a presenter for Mark Shuttleworth’s Hip to be Square programme. Since then she has starred in Keeping it Real With Precious and Precious Africa, while at the same time starting her own production company: Kofi Productions.
It is no wonder then, that the Mail and Guardian named her one of the top 200 Young South Africans you should take to lunch, and why she was selected as one of the ambassadors for American first lady, Michelle Obama’s South African tour earlier this year.
The audience was in silent awe throughout her talk and hung on her every word.
It was clear that Precious’s story did in fact inspire, and that all those who thought their own situation was too though to change, were filled with hope.
