Carol Ofori has already amassed quite the resume during her 20-year career. She is an award-winning radio presenter, television host, voice-over artist and motivational speaker and now, she is ready to embark on an exciting new chapter as a published author. Carol is set to release a series of six children’s books titled ‘The African Adventures of Sena and Katlego’ – a project she has been secretly working on for a while.
The book series, published by Lingua Franca Publishers, is a delightful and educational read for children which celebrates Africa and its various countries, landscapes, traditions and more. The book series, illustrated by Sasha Richards, tells the story of a little boy named Sena and his magical teddy bear Katlego who visit different countries on the continent as he visits his family.
“The story is unique and beautiful and brings together the story of family. One that shares that we as Africans are family. I recently did a DNA test and discovered that a large part of my DNA steams back to West Africa. All this time I was convinced I would have strong South African roots, but my father’s big heritage comes from somewhere up west and I was inspired by that,” says Ofori. Link to video announcement: https://www.instagram.com/p/CZtd7srFiDZ/
The book series approaches the beauty of the African continent and its different cultures through the main character Sena, who has a family that lives all over the continent. Ofori explains “I think it’s important to expose our children to all the dynamic and diverse African cultures, races, people, food, and landscape. I wanted to represent that in the books because Africa is so dynamic. It has got so much culture, history, and love – and that should be celebrated.”
The books take readers, geared at those aged 4 – 12, on an adventure to South Africa, Uganda, Chad, Egypt, eSwatini, and Ghana. “I found that my kids weren’t exposed to Africa and its diversity as much as I would have liked and this is what inspired the series,” Carol continues. “I want children across the continent to not only feel seen when they read these books, but to also learn more about the continent we live on and the different people they may be exposed to. After all, we live on an incredible continent and should explore it – not only places further abroad.”
‘The African Adventures of Sena and Katlego’ series will be available in bookstores and online stores around the country from March 2022.
About the Author:
Over the past 10 years, Carol Ofori has become a seasoned voice-over artist and a well-respected Radio & TV personality. The radio bug bit her whilst on campus at RAU (Rand Afrikaans University – now UJ) studying towards a BA Journalism Degree majoring in Politics. She joined the campus radio station where she was an on-air presenter and became the DJ Manager. She then moved on and worked for a month at Kaya FM on a learnership programme in the newsroom.
In 2004 Carol Ofori joined 947 as an intern journalist before she became a reporter for both 947 and sister station 702. Whilst at 947 Carol Ofori was a News Anchor and also worked in the marketing department doing direct marketing as part of the Ground Patrol team and soon found herself on the airwaves full-time as a radio presenter. Carol Ofori hosted various shows from weekdays 7pm to 10pm to weekdays pre-breakfast show 4am – 6am and spent a total of 7 years with 947.
In 2010 Carol Ofori was offered a wonderful opportunity to join South Africa’s largest Urban Commercial radio station, Metro FM, where she hosted “The Divine Edge” on Saturdays from 12pm to 3pm and “The Divine Edge Sunday Edition” from 10pm till midnight. Carol Ofori left Metro FM at the end of March 2014 to join Kagiso Media at East Coast Radio where she spent 5 amazing years hosting various shows, from Weekend Breakfast to the Top 40 chart show. Carol then left East Coast Radio in April 2019 to join national SABC radio station Radio 2000 to host her weekend breakfast show called The Weekend Favour. The show went on to win a Radio award for best Weekend show in April 2020 at the South African Radio Awards. Carol then hosted a national weekday show called #QueensOfGrace on Radio 2000 from 9am till midday. Carol now host 9am to 1pm on KZN’s number 1 hit Music Station East Coast Radio. Her show is called #CarolOforiOnECR and you can catch her Monday to Friday 9am to 1pm weekdays.
Along the way, Carol Ofori found time to fulfil her journalistic flair by writing as a freelancer for various publications such as Soul Magazine, Oprah Magazine and ZAlebs.co.za.
In 2014 Carol Ofori graduated from Vega School of Brand Leadership with an Honours degree in Brand Management.
Today Carol Ofori does professional voice work for clients such as DStv, Game, Revlon, Sechaba Medical and many others. When Carol Ofori is not doing voice overs, on the airways, or on TV, you’ll find her MCing, being a Motivational Speaker, having fun with make-up artistry and being a wife and mother.
Follow Carol Ofori on Instagram: @carolofori
Follow Lingua Franca Publishers on Instagram: @linguafrancapublishers
About Lingua Franca Publishers:
Lingua Franca Publishers is an independent publishing house with focus on educational, entertainment and children’s publications, in a variety of languages. The company is committed to educate, entertain and inspire readers to prepare their own paths for a bright future through learning and the culture of reading.
