Getting To Know Kate Turkington!

I was on a girls retreat in the beautiful KZN Midlands, when I met Kate Turkington. Although generations apart, I recognised so much of me in her, that it ignited an instant friendship! It is not very often that this happens to me and I am so glad that it did. Fast forward to a month later and I find myself visiting Kate (at her house!). By this time, I have done adequate research to realise just how knowledgable, well-travelled and famous she really is! I had to keep my excitement contained. The conversation flows easily between us, as we talk the usual girl talk. I have realised that women connect easily. We are able to bond over the responsibilities that life sets for us and although our stories may be different, we sing to the same tune on so many levels!

You can imagine my excitement when I discovered that this product was produced with the idea of being healthy in mind. I decided to place my order and I fetched my propa smoothie from Healthy in Umhlanga the very next day. If there’s anything you need to know about me is that I am extremely brand loyal with a soft spot for local startups. After tasting my very first smoothie I knew this was a brand that would grow to enormous success. I also knew that I had become a huge fan of the taste and attention to detail that went into preparing these beautiful creations. The chocolate smoothies are my favourite and they leave me with the satisfaction that I get when I eat chocolate.

I left Kate’s home with a signed copy of her latest book ‘YES, REALLY! A Life’ and I could not wait to get reading. I did not realise how much more this book would bind our friendship. After readng this, I have rejoiced in the adventures that bring these pages to life. I was able to feel the pain of all the difficulties endured on the way but most of all it is a book that inspires me to live my life and to live it well! It is a novel that does not sugar coat on how we shoould do things but instead encourages us to live our lives so that we can tell our own stories one day.

I could go on and on but that would mean me giving away more than I should. I do suggest you get yourself a copy and let us know whether you felt it as powerful a read as I did! It is available for purchase on takealot and other bookstores, nationwide.

In this time Kate has earned a place in my heart as one of my very dear friends so I thought a feature on this book is simply not enough to commemorate this Icon of a lady. I have sent Kate some fun questions to  answer so that we could all get better acquainted. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did. Thank you Kate, for being such a good sport with these answers!

  • Introduce yourself in one sentence.

I’m Kate Turkington, often called ‘legendary’ by fans because of my teaching days at Wits and thousands of TV and radio broadcasts over 50 years.

  • In your opinion, what was your claim to fame?

My teaching days at Wits and thousands of TV and radio broadcasts over 50 years.

  • What do you think is the single thing that is most wrong with the world right now?

Ignorance and poverty.

  • Childhood celebrity crush?

Clarke Gable. (Nobody today will know that name but he was the star of one of the most famous movies of all time ‘Gone With The Wind’.)

  • The place you love most in the world?

Home. (Followed by India as my favourite destination.)

  • What is your motto in life?

Carpe Diem – Seize the day and live every day to the full. The past is gone and the future never comes. 

  • How do you inspire people?

By being a role model – travelling, writing, moving, shaking and having a wonderful family of four children and nine grandchildren all of whom – wait for it – live in Johannesburg too.

  • Do you sing in the shower?

No

  • What would you regard your number 1 hit?

Dolly Parton’s ‘Jolene’.

  • Dogs or cats?

Dogs.

  • Favourite food?

Fish and Chips.

  • Do you believe in ghosts?

No. Although I once lived in a haunted house in the wilds of Nigeria and my two children at the time saw the ghost often. (Read all about it in my latest book – ‘Yes, Really!’)

  • What is your job title?

Anything and everything.

  • What inspired you to choose this career path?

Nothing inspired me. Except, I’ll always make and take opportunities. I was a guest on a BBC TV show in the UK and was asked subsequently if I’d like a TV talkshow of my own.

  • Career highlight to date?

Too many to mention – lots of accolades and awards – but I’ve enjoyed every moment of communicating with other people.

  • Who is the most famous person you have met?

Again, too many to mention. Mmm… maybe the Queen, The Beatles and the Dalai Lama?

  • Your advice to your younger self?

Do it all again… 

  • If you could have dinner with absolutely anyone (dead or alive), who would it be and why?

William Shakespeare.

  • A memory from your life that makes you giggle?

When I was almost kidnapped by heavily armed Afar tribesmen in the Rift Valley of Ethiopia.

  • Who inspires you?

My family, friends and myself.

  • If you won 100 million dollars today, what would you do?

Give it away.