#ATYPICALINTERVIEW: SAMEER NAIK

TV AND radio presenter, MC, actress, and momtrepreneur Elana Afrikabredenkamp is the presenter of Workzone on Jacaranda FM.

With radio as her first love, she has built extensive experience over 21 years, including time broadcasting for 5FM and kfm, 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 meatfree recipe series online.

She has extended her strengths to something close to her heart as founder of a project called Baby Brunch. This platform also runs a podcast hosted by Elana called Baby Brunch – The Parenting Series which regularly trends in the top 10 podcast charts in South Africa.

Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter?

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.

What is the biggest misconception people have of you?

I think what in general is written about people in entertainment or “celebrities” is not accurate.

I feel like I’m a change maker.

What is important is that if people need to know something, they ask us.

I don’t think that things 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 think there is a “worst”. Which actress would play you in the story about your life?

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.

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. I also love Doreen Morris. I check in with her every week.

Your fondest memory as a teenager is … ?

I was 17 and I remember the exhilarating, crazy, 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 at the then Nico Malan theatre in Artscape and it was probably the best, most exhilarating feeling I’ve ever felt.

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’s 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.