Headhoncho

Lesley Mofokeng is one hell of a fella! The cheerful journo has worked his butt off in the past decade or so and thus deserves to be regarded as one of the most credible and respected entertainment journalists. The Mafikeng native, who’s personality overflows with pizzazz and chutzpah, penned entertaining and thrilling stories on our favourite celebrities for ten straight years, giving us enough reason to pick up the Sunday Times on the regular.

This journo, whose low tolerance for D-list celebs is legendary, has now opened a new chapter in his glowing career. Since late last year, he’s been grinding away quietly as the new Editor of City Pulse (City Press’s entertainment mag that has more than 2 million readers). This makes him one of the most powerful dudes in the media and entertainment industries (The Lord knows how he’s phone must be ringing overtime now!).

This is precisely why he is the first person to be featured in our new weekly feature, aptly titled Honcho of the Week. This new feature on our site will showcase enterprising young South Africans who are kicking major ass in their chosen careers or businesses. These are people that are living and thinking PROGRESSIVELY. In other words, they are Head Honchos! Below is a transcript of our candid conversation with Lesley (Mr. Mofokeng to you sir); Enjoy!

Hi Les. How has 2009, the so-called 200-and-mine, been for you thus far? Good, we hope…..

It’s been great. I’m having a fantastic start in all spheres of my life and I hope it will be one of those monumental years that I look back on and smile.

You recently ended a long chapter in your career by leaving Sunday Times late last year after serving the paper for 10 years to join rival City Press. What prompted that move?

There is no better way to put it than to say that it was time I moved on to something new and different, plus City Press offered me a management position that I couldn’t refuse. I am sure you’d agree with me that staying in the same job for 10 years is something that people our age don’t generally do, we’re always chasing the next big thrill and hoping to stretch ourselves further in our quest to be better individuals. I am thrilled to be in my new position and being involved in creating a product of high quality in City Pulse. It’s a vote of confidence in my abilities for which I am grateful.

You’re now the Editor of City Press’ City Pulse magazine, a publication with more than 2 million readers. That’s a Honcho position right there!! Does the prospect of creating juicy content for so many readers intimidate you?

How can it intimidate me? I’ve been doing this sh*t for 10 years. I know my ways around the entertainment industry and have a vast contact base. I would be lying if I were to say that providing content intimidates me. Having said that, I will admit that there is always a challenge to be relevant and to resonate with your readers, that’s where the challenge lies. I am constantly on the lookout for new ways of telling stories, new ways of taking pictures and new years of doing covers especially for a Sunday newspaper magazine. It pushes me to be the best and to get there first and tell the story first before others.

Seven issues have already been published under your guidance…. What changes, if any, are you making to the magazine and what exciting features should the readers look forward to?

Getting a cover picture has become a painstaking effort, we either shoot them using our talent crew of photographers in the newsroom or we source the best there is to make sure that it’s a visual feast for our readers. There are new and exciting features that will be introduced as the year continues, not only that, but also we’re taking a different and bold way in telling these stories, we have guest writers and we also allow reader participation through different avenues and platforms and these will come to the fore sooner than later, as they say, watch this space.

Your journalistic career has spanned 11 years. What have been your career highs and lows?

Meeting Nelson Mandela, shaking his hand, having a casual chat and then posing for a picture when he visited our offices in my first year as a journalist. The many many amazing and fabulous people who I’ve had the honour of interviewing have made this journey all the more worth it. Lows? I don’t know and I’ll tell you what it is, I am positive person who always sees the glass half-full. There are moments when I felt exhausted by the job and longing for a career change, but the very next day I have a different outlook, bursting with energy and rearing to go.

You’ve been interviewing and reporting on South African celebrities for a while now. Are they as petty and frivolous as the media makes them out to be?

They are egoists, petty and desperate for attention, I bet some of them would even trade in their parents to get a mention in a gossip column. I still don’t get it when people want to be celebrities. It’s an awful space to be in where everyone is in your business and you’re asked questions and have to explain yourself. Why would anyone get a thrill out of explaining themselves to millions of people? Why would you want to be accountable to them as if you’re a public servant?

In the same breath I would like to add that there are other genuine celebs who are positive role models who I think even myself have picked up lessons from their lives and they include Basetsana Khumalo, Zam Nkosi, Glen Lewis, Sibongile Khumalo, DJ Sbu, Yvonne Chaka Chaka and Connie Ferguson and many others that I forget and these are people who are not frivolous, they are massively talented and have proven to have longevity in an industry that is tough and unforgiving. They truly deserve the title of celebrity and not all the other fly-by-nights with no real claim to fame.

You reported extensively on the late Brenda Fassie back in the day. Apparently, she was pretty pissed off at you for a couple of stories that you did on her. Take us through that bit of controversy that you were engulfed in and what caused it?

I respect and honour the memory of Brenda Fassie, a true South African musical icon and a talented woman who left too early. Aren’t we blessed to still have her son around Bongani Fassie to further bless us with the musical genius that seems to run in their family? Brenda and I never really clashed over inaccuracies or lies. The real problem was in that I knew too much. I had great contacts and sources who were impeccable and their stories were always on point. She just couldn’t stand the fact that I knew too much. I can sit here and tell you that Brenda supplied me with reams and reams of copy and thousands of inches of gems throughout the latter part of her life. There will never be another star like her.

What other heated situations have you found yourself in after writing about a celeb? Any death threats?

Not death threats but dirty looks and nasty comments. In fact I was once threatened with a baseball bat by some D-list celeb. It’s usually the desperate ones who want attention, and you just need to ignore them.

You somehow found yourself on the popular TV show “Strictly Come Dancing” two seasons ago and were unceremoniously booted two episodes into the show. How was that experience for you? I know you picked you up some fancy dance moves………

It was something completely unnecessary but fun to do, very much so. I didn’t need to lose weight, so I was really worried when I noticed that my pants were hanging loose with every passing week, so I was relieved to leave early, but also sad. Anyway, my theory is that everyone remembers the winner and the first one to go, so I figured that being the first loser was not such a bad thing after all. I can still do the Charleston and a mean rumba, my only regret is never learning the tango and paso-doble.

You’ve interviewed a couple of international big shots in your time. Tell us about the most interesting ones?

British soul star, Seal is my all time favourite interviewee. He was the last celeb I interviewed for the Sunday Times before I left and he was so open, so warm and so generous in his answers. He takes the trophy. I had the pleasure of interviewing John Legend, Lionel Richie, Earl Cole the first African-American to win Survivor in the US and many others.

What does being a Head Honcho mean to you?

Having your finger on the pulse (geddit?) Being at the top of your game. Not compromising your values. And most importantly having a plan and not just floating about.

Please finish the following sentences:

• Mandoza is ……….not a nkalakatha any longer.
• Khanyi Mbau has ………..lost the plot.
• Joburg needs ………….bigger, multiple lane highways and a better public transport system with more options than the wretched minibus taxis
• Dancing with the Stars ………entertains
• Barack Obama is ……..my personal hero and one person I would really like to meet. I’ve read all his books and I’m sold on him.
• Brenda Fassie was ……….the grand dame of South African entertainment.
• Head Honcho is ……………..the future. Forget AmaWhat What.
• The world needs ………….more Barack Obamas to inspire us to greater heights.
• SA celebrities are …………..not wealthy.
• Jacob Zuma should …………just give up.

Tags: Celebrities, City Press, City Pulse, Head Honcho, Lesley Mofokeng, Sunday Times