Children’s entertainer makes home in Boksburg

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Kideo was a daily children’s entertainment programme that was played on SABC.

England-born Elaine Macdonald, who now resides in Boksburg, wrote the script for the show and is best known for the character she played as the much-loved Molly Metronome.

She is an author, writer, academic, motivational speaker and children’s television presenter.

Macdonald says her first love is writing, which she started doing at a very young age.

“I was a lonely child because my father used to travel a lot, and we used to live in remote areas. I still think like a kid, and don’t like taking life seriously,” says Macdonald.

She adds that while most adults her age love watching drama, horror, comedy or action movies, she would much rather prefer watching an animation film.

What most people don’t know is that Macdonald was on radio before she landed a role as a writer and presenter on Kideo.

Being on Kideo she explains was a “happy accident”.

“I wrote a pilot for the SABC, and because we couldn’t afford an actor to feature in it, I had to act in the pilot. We sent it to the SABC and they said they’re schedule was fully-booked with children’s programmes, but that they wanted me to come on board as a writer and presenter for Kideo,” explains Macdonald.

Macdonald holds a BA in Art History and Ancient History, an Honours degree in Classics and a Masters degree in Roman Art and Architecture.

Her degrees were all awarded Cum Laude, and she is now in the process of obtaining her PHD.

“I know nothing about politics, I have no idea what’s happening with the Oscar Pistorius case, however, you can ask me anything about ancient culture and history,” she jokes.

In her spare time Macdonald loves playing with her grandchildren, sailing and also enjoys cooking and entertaining guests.

She loves Boksburg, its warmth and how it differs from England.

“It’s very intimate here, you can find parking, and the people are real and friendly. It’s also very comfortable, and I found it very easy to make friends.

“I love going out to the restaurants. In England its freezing, you don’t even want to go out,” she points out.

Macdonald jokes that while every adult started life as a child who loved colouring in pictures she still hasn’t grown up and stills loves colouring.

She recently turned 60 years old and invited 60 friends to come and celebrate with her at the Boksburg Barnyard Theatre.

Macdonald has a passion for education and believes learning should always be fun.

She is the general manager at the School of Applied Non-Destructive Examination (SANDE), which offers Non Destructive Testing (NDT) training using a wide group of analysis techniques used in science and industry.

The school is based in Impala Park and that is where she spends most of her days.

She has written a number of children’s educational books and describes herself as a pathological writer.

“One day I will resign and just write,” she says.

Asked if Kideo will ever return to television screens, Macdonald points out that everything has its season.