Johannesburg - This week we feature South African TV and radio presenter, MC, actress, and momtrepreneur Elana Afrika-Bredenkamp.
Elana is the presenter of the Workzone on Jacaranda FM.
With radio as her first love, she has built up extensive experience over the past 21 years, including time broadcasting for 5FM and KFM and earning an MTN Radio Award nomination along the way.
Her latest TV role is that of Gertrude Koopman in the hit kykNET primetime legal drama Fynskrif.
Elana’s love of cooking also sparked the development of her meat-free recipe series online.
She also has extended her strengths to something very close to her heart as the founder of a project called Baby Brunch.
This platform also runs a successful podcast hosted by Elana called Baby Brunch – The Parenting Series which regularly trends among the top 10 podcast charts in South Africa.
Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter?
I only use social media if I know that I can make a difference or inspire people.
I use a lot of my Facebook to share motivational messages.
And Twitter I use for my Baby Brunch platform.
I started a business a few years ago and we are quite active on Twitter, and that’s my favourite.
The meal that most reminds you of your childhood is?
My mom’s chicken.
I think my mom is the best cook and she makes the most delicious curry too.
And those are the two meals that are not just the best from my own childhood.
What is the biggest misconception people have about you?
I guess it depends on who you ask.
I always say to people if you want to get to know someone, ask them.
I think what in general is written about people in entertainment or that funny word “celebrities” – is not accurate.
I feel like I’m a change maker.
What is important is that if people need to know something, that they ask us themselves.
I don’t think that things that exist on the internet are accurate.
On the internet I’m still 26, I turned 41 this year.
The best and worst thing about being married is… ?
I’ve always wanted to be married.
And I chose the best guy… he is the best father and nine years later he still is the most beautiful man I’ve ever met.
I don’t know if there is a worst about marriage for me.
I love being married.
Which actress would play you in the story about your life?
No ones ever asked me this.
They should ask the public.
It should be a reality show question asking who would want to play Elana Afrika-Bredenkamp.
I grew up in Ravensmead.
I lived in Stellenbosch, spent some time on stage.
Had the opportunity to study at Stellenbosch University.
I was able to immerse myself in Christian and religious studies in South Africa and Israel.
It really needs to be someone who wants to be an actress and someone who wants to go through all those experiences.
It’s a call out to a reality show because you would need to be very sure to play me.
If you were stuck on a desert island with one SA celeb, who would you pick?
I wouldn’t pick any celebrity.
I would pick one of my mentors, I am mad about Ilse Klink.
I think she’s an incredible actor and person.
I adore her. From a young age, I have. I love Doreen Morris. I check in with her every week. She’s one of my favourite people.
Your fondest memory as a teenager was… ?
I was 17 and I remember the exhilarating crazy call nervous feeling of going to audition for Grease the musical.
And I landed a role as a principal actor.
I was one of the pink ladies in the then Nico Malan theatre in Artscape and it was probably the best most exhilarating feeling that I’ve ever felt in my life.
It’s the same feeling when you’re in love, or when you’ve won money.
What is the one thing that grabbed your attention on social media in the last week?
A terrible gripping story of three children who were found in Limpopo after they went missing, and they are no longer alive.
Also, the fact that Baby Brunch, my business, is making its first donation as a business to an organisation called Surgeons for Little Lives.
This month is child cancer awareness month.
Because I love children and family, it is very significant to me, because the two don’t just go hand in hand.
When you tell me that a child has cancer, I want to start crying and breaking down because I think of how unfair life can be.
You are only allowed to shop at one store for the rest of your life. Which store?
I won’t buy anything, I’ll stop buying. I had a beautiful conversation with a financial advisor this week.
I am going to interview him for my podcast.
He said it is time we stop buying our children expensive gifts.
And I think the same needs to apply for me.
I’m not a very materialistic person even though I like nice things, I don’t think I would shop.
If I had to choose, I would choose a grocery store so that I can carry on eating.
You are invited to take part in a celebrity boxing match. You are able to go 12 rounds with any celeb in South Africa. Who do you choose?
Why would I say yes to a celebrity boxing match. No! I have no desire to punch anyone.