Kojo Baffoe
The Journey
Born in Munich, Germany to a Ghanaian father and German mother, Kojo spent his formative years on the streets of Maseru, Lesotho, eventually completing his International Baccalaureate at Machabeng High School in 1990. After high school, he spent a year in Germany as a Rotary Exchange Student, taking the opportunity to get in touch with his Germanic roots.
Upon his return, he was involved in the family management consulting business before heading off to Durban, KwaZulu-Natal where he received his Bachelor of Commerce (with majors in Economics, Marketing & Business Administration) at the then University of Natal, now University of KwaZulu-Natal.
He then moved back home to Lesotho and was involved in a number of family business ventures, including: Management Consulting; Retail: Cosmetics & Hair Products; Publishing: Weekly Newspaper, Southern Star; and IT. Projects worked on during this period include:
- Development of Five-Year Plan for Promotion of Indigenous Entrepreneurs by Existing Support Institutions, Business Advisory Promotion Service (BAPS)
- Preparation of Marketing Strategy, Lesotho Housing & Land Development Corporation (LHLDC)
- Study on Lesotho Tourist Board (LTB) Human Resources
- Study and Action Plan to Address Key Labour Market Issues in Lesotho
- Lesotho Highlands Water Project Economic Impact Study
- Analysis of Lesotho's Renewable Energy Sector and Business Plans Development for Expanding the Market
- Production of Press, Security, Delegate & Ministerial Cards, SADC Summit - attended by Ministers and Heads of SADC Member States
- Supply & Installation of Vehicle Management System, Lesotho Bus & Freight Service Corporation
- ID Bureau System (Supply & Training), Lesotho National Security Service (NSS)
He re-located to Johannesburg in the early 2000s, initially consulting for an interior design company and then starting Baffoe Kakana (Baka) Consulting, a IT consulting firm. During this period, he started exploring the more creative side of his DNA, leaving Baka Consulting to work in fashion, event management and explore poetry, which he started writing in his early teens.
He also consulted on a number of projects and businesses, including:
- Project Manager, Business & Communications Analyst, South African Post Office, Retail Postal Agency Remodelling Project
- Walk-Down Technician, Portnet Asset Management Pilot, Richards Bay
- Management & Operations Consultant, Bonngoe 'Youth Development Strategists'
- Facilitator - Damelin College (Braamfontein and Randburg), Principles of Marketing, Principles of Management and Office Administration
Writing, in all forms, and concept development are at the core of Kojo and he has since written and performed extensively in the region. He has written and developed concepts for a number of publications and businesses, including TransAfrica Media, Maja Entertainment, Alternative Solutions, Risana Communications, Rockstone Productions, KR8-TIV Management Services, Mail & Guardian (Fashion), Design Indaba, Y Magazine and True Love. He is currently a regular contributor to Mamas & Papas magazine and a fervent blogger with a solid online following.
In the last couple of years, Kojo's focus has been in the media space and he has operated in various capacities, in particular television and print, such as:
- Research / Script Writer on Zwahashu, a Venda/Tsonga Lifestyle Television Property on SABC2
- Associate and Content Producer on Afro Café, a jazz / contemporary music show on SABC2
- Content Producer and Scriptwriter on Zooming In On Men, a men's lifestyle show on SABC3
- Producer on Making Moves, an entrepreneurship show on SABC1
- Head of Content: Bonngoe Productions, involved in developing concepts for the business
- Scriptwriter for the Annual Metro FM Music Awards 2007 & 2008
- Founding Editor, Blaque Magazine, an urban lifestyle magazine, 2008
He is the founding member of Monstafunk Productions (SA), director of the newly established Baffoe Media Group (Ghana), a writer, speaker, MC, poet, social commentator, media consultant, artist and dreamer.
Competencies
- Poetry - performance & commissions for brands, products, events, etc
- MC (programme direction)
- Writing services, including: feature articles, speeches, advertorial, press releases, proposals & pitch documents, company profiles, etc.
- Concept development & strategy - television, events, etc
- Media & editorial consulting services - production, content, writing
- Speaking - Identity, Lifestyle, Creativity
Experience
Kojo has been involved extensively in the poetry movement in Southern Africa and was an instrumental performer and organiser in its growth, having produced platforms, managed artists and performed.He published two collections in 2005 (Voices In My Head & And They Say Black Men Don't Write Love Poetry) and has been featured in publications in South Africa, Canada and Brazil. Fascinated with the world behind the words, Kojo's words embrace the spectrum of human experience and bring together a range of emotions and thoughts in free flowing verse.
Uninhibited by boundaries, he is constantly learning and stretching his craft… "on a quest to find the perfect poem, a gentle balance between word, rhythm and thought …a poem that sends the moon and sun dancing over the skyline hand in hand". His poetry is a passionate journal detailing a life still finding its truth, a life that is neither ordinary nor extraordinary, a life that is representative of us all.
Poetry Performance
Kojo has performed extensively over the last decade, including:
- CIDA City Campus Mini Concert, 2003
- Diva Africa Awards Ceremony, 2003
- Youth Development Trust Year End Function, 2003
- Open Disclosure Centre Launch, 2003
- British Council presents The Writers Ball, featuring British Poet, Joolz Denby, 2004
- FNB 'One Account' Product Launch, 2004
- School Tour & Freedom Bash, Celebration of 10 Years of Democracy Celebration, 2004
- SAB Miller, Leadership Seminar, 2004
- Seven Poetry Collective (with 6 other poets), The Lab - Market Theatre; WITS Technikon & Newtown Music Hall, 2004
- SAB Miller Amstel Event, 2004
- Voices In My Head Pre-Launch, sponsored by Amstel, 2005
- Metropolitan, Sikunye Conference, Sun City, 2005
- Gordon Institute of Business Science, Seminar on Leadership & Organisational Change, Seminar on Innovation, Seminar on 'Doing Business in West Africa', Forum on Creativity, Forum of Role of Arts In Empowering the Nation, Forum on South Africa in 2004, 2005, 2006
- Eskom Generation Farewell Function, The Castle, 2005
- SACCCOM Awards Gala Dinner, Gallagher Estate, 2005
- Sowetan / Snowflake Bridal Couple Of The Year 2005/06, Indaba Hotel, Fourways, 2006
- Dialogue with former President Thabo Mbeki, GIBS, 2006
- Sunday World Women's Lunch, 2006
- Ernst & Young, Alumni Cocktail, 2006
- Poetry Africa SlamJam, Joburg Show, Oct 2006
- Sunday World Agency Roadshow
- Hammer & Tongue Poetry Slam Tour, 13 cities in the United Kingdom, Nov - Dec 2006
- Sowetan Chef of the Year Finals, 2007
- Jozi Spoken Word Festival, 2007
Speaker
- GIBS Race & Identity Workshops, 2007
- GIBS Spirit of Youth, Race & Identity, 2007, 2008, 2009
- Glenfiddich Ambassadors' Dinner, Durban, 'Lifestyle Trends in 2009'
Workshops & Facilitation
- National Arbitrator, Baswa Le Meetse Awards, Dept. of Water Affairs & Forestry
- British Council Power In Voice Programme, 2007 - 2008
- Bua Poetry Society, Rhodes University, 2008
Poetry Commission
- Rand Water Centenary Project, 2003
- Collect-A-Can TV Commercial, 2003
- Ernst & Young, Alumni Cocktail, 2006
- GIBS Poet Laureate, 2008
- ABSA Board Member Farewell Dinner, 2009
- Diva Africa Award Ceremony, Gallagher Estate, 2003
- YDT Year End Dinner (& Event Director), 2003
- Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival 2006, Mbira Stage
- City of Joburg, Joburg Literary Festival Award Ceremony, 2008
- SA Institute of Chartered Accountants, Thuthuka QE1 Repeat Celebration, 2008 & Student Leadership Summit, 2009
Contact Details
Kojo BaffoeMonstafunk Productions cc
Writer, Poet, Social Commentator
Media, Arts and Entertainment Consulting
Cell: +27 (0) 83 236 6083, Fax: +27 (0) 86 551 8219, PO Box 3023, Parklands 2121
Email. kojo@monstafunk.co.za
