Kojo Baffoe. Photo by Siphiwe Mhlambi ©
Kojo Baffoe is an editor [he is the current editor of the men’s business and lifestyle magazine, DESTINY Man], writer, poet and entrepreneur with origins in Ghana and Germany, raised in Lesotho, and based in Johannesburg. He has a B.Commerce (majors in Economics, Marketing & Business Administration) from University of Natal, and has been involved in a number of sectors, including Retail, Management Consulting, Publishing, Events, IT and Media (Television & Print).
Kojo has been involved in the poetry/spoken word movement in Southern Africa; has published two collections of poetry; and been featured in publications in South Africa, Canada and Brazil. He also performed extensively, highlights of which include touring the UK with the Hammer & Tongue Poetry Slam Tour, Urban Voices and Arts Alive Speak Your Mind. He has written for and performed at corporate events and shows and has facilitated workshops and functions.
He speaks on a range of topics including Re-defining Success, Getting Back to Basics, Finding Purpose and Fatherhood. He is a poet laureate for Gordon Institute of Business Science, was founding editor of Blaque Magazine, has written for a range of publications including as a columnist (2009 – 2011) for City Press’ lifestyle supplement, 7, is an avid blogger and loves social media.
1.What was your First phone?
My first phone was a Nokia 2110.
2.What do you prefer, Facebook or Twitter? Why?
Neither. Each one has its space and purpose. I probably spend more time engaging on twitter.
3.Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Still in the media. Still writing. Still working towards my many dreams.
4.Any question for us?
How do you determine what questions to ask?
- Wamathai and I sat down over a couple of cold ones 🙂
5.What would you do if you were president for a day?
Find a way to make sure that a strong foundation is set to ensure that all the children are alright. Every child should have access to the basics and opportunity.
6.What’s your favourite book and movie?
I am always reading one book or another so it would be near impossible to pick one that stands above the rest. That said, The Autobiography of Malcolm X (with Alex Haley) had a significant impact on my life and thinking having first read it when I was about 10. Other books include Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell, Four Hour Work Week by Timothy Ferris, Asphalt by Carl Hancock Rux, Hip Hop America by Nelson George and Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop by Jeff Chang. I read a range of different books, authors and styles.
I always find the favourite thing very hard. I collect Spike Lee & Quentin Tarantino films in addition to a range of other films, which include ones like The Crow, Natural Born Killas, Pitch Black & Chronicles of Riddick, Blade, etc. There have been too many films shot and too many films I’ve watched to be able to pick.
7.Who/What inspired you to do what you do now?
The person who has consistently inspired, guided and mentored me is my father. I learnt how to work from him having started working in the family businesses from a very young age. He also encouraged me to write which is at the heart of most if not everything I do.
8.If you were to change jobs, what profession would you get into and why?
Truth is I have worked in a range of areas including management consulting, retail, furniture, eventing, IT, publishing, entertainment, insurance, television production, etc, so I couldn’t tell you what would be the next thing to go into. It is about being able to translate basic business and professional principles across fields. I couldn’t be a rocket scientist or anything that requires intense application of mathematics though … not my strength. Who knows what the future holds.
9.If you had a superpower, what would it be?
The power to use 100% of my brain power like the character in the film Limitless.
10.If you were deserted on an abandoned island, what 5 things would I want to have?
- Food
- Shelter.
- Laptop (with thousands of albums, books & movies)
- Electricity
- Axe
11.If you were a car, which one would you be and why?
Mustang Shelby GT500 – powerful, classic / Audi RS4 – refined, powerful, understated.
12.If you could be in any band in the world, which one would it be? And why?
Wow. Is there an answer to this question? So many bands, so many artists to choose from … current bands … perhaps The Roots … Mint Condition. I would want to be in a band that is about the music, about each person exploring and expressing themselves to the best of their ability. Maybe U2 or the Rolling Stones? The ideal group would be one that is made up of artists from different groups, like a Superheavy. These questions are hard.
13.Share something interesting about yourself with our readers.
I love apricot jam. And prawns. And in high school, when Thriller came out, I was my school’s Michael Jackson. Used to mime and dance to Billie Jean at school shows. Are these interesting?