MC | Presenter | Key note speaker | Voice Over artist | Philanthropist | Brand Ambassador Radio & TV Personality | Businesswoman
She is instantly recognisable as the face of SABC 2’s flagship breakfast show, Morning Live, a hard-hitting news broadcast that she has anchored since 2004. Prior to taking on this demanding role, Leanne found recognition presenting a number of prominent business shows including SABC 3’s Business Update and Business Focus.
Her ability to move seamlessly between media platforms can, in part, be contributed to her roots, having started her career as a weekend and late night news anchor for Talk Radio 702. She has since done extensive work for South Africa’s leading radio stations including Radio Algoa, Jacaranda FM, SAfm and East Coast Radio.
Driven by her passion for her birthplace and fellow South Africans, Leanne reached even greater heights, both personally and professionally, on Mandela Day 2015 when she summited Africa’s highest point, Mount Kilimanjaro, during a successful fundraising expedition.
An impressive career met with unwavering professionalism has seen Leanne take on the role as MC and guest speaker at functions for several high-profilecorporations, among them Emirates, Mercedes, Vodacom, Nedbank, SAA
Discovery and Alexander Forbes to name a few.
Television Career
One of South Africa’s most renowned onscreen talents, Leanne Manas started her broadcasting career in 2001, anchoring the Essential Business Channel Summit TV until 2003. During this time she also hosted two SABC 3 programmes, Business Update and Business Focus.
In 2004 Leanne was offered the coveted position as presenter on South Africa’slongest-running breakfast programme, SABC 2’s Morning Live, as well as presenting on SABC News Channel, positions she still retains.
During her extensive on-air career, Leanne has held the lead anchor role for three national and local government elections, two presidential inaugurations as well as hosting several State of the Nation addresses and national budget announcements. Public questions were answered by political leaders and decision makers during interviews with Leanne on SABC’s political show, Democracy SA.
She has interviewed numerous high-profile politicians, businessmen and entertainers. These include Oprah Winfrey, Nelson Mandela, Celine Dion, Diana Ross, Lionel Richie, Christina Aguilera, Seal, Sir Richard Branson, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, Miriam Makeba, Joan Armatrading, John Legend, Jane Seymour, Ronan Keating and the Reverend Jesse Jackson.
Her professionalism in a high-pressure environment has been rewarded repeatedly over the years. Leanne is a four-time winner of People Magazine’s “Best South African Female Television Presenter” and three-time winner of You Magazine’s “Best Overall SA TV Presenter”. She is also the recipient of the Sunday Times/Elle “Most Stylish News/Actuality/Continuity Presenter” Award and You Magazine’s “Most Stylish Television Presenter”, among others.
Leanne played a key role in the build-up to the 2010 FIFA World Cup hosted in South Africa, reporting on the construction and logistical progress throughout. She was also the recipient of the first printed World Cup ticket presented during a live broadcast.
In 2013 when the world went into mourning, Leanne was selected for the pivotal role as one of the main anchors covering the death of Nelson Mandela. This involved anchoring the memorial service - attended by hundreds of internationalstatesmen - as well as the Lying in State and daily calvacade followed by thefuneral held in Qunu.
Her career has crossed international borders with Leanne broadcasting in London, France, Abu Dhabi, Mauritius, Ghana and the United States of America. She has also hosted numerous corporate in-house broadcasts for the likes of Standard Bank, SAB Miller and Nedbank. Radio Career Leanne’s broadcasting career started as a weekend and late night news anchor for Talk Radio 702. She then joined Johnnic Publishing’s African Business Channel (Now Avusa Media) as news anchor for Classic FM. She has subsequently worked for leading South African radio stations including Radio Algoa, Jacaranda FM, SAfm and East Coast Radio.
MC and Motivational Talks
Extensive experience in on-air interviewing, debate and discussion has positioned Leanne as a leading motivational speaker and MC both locally and internationally.
Toyota, Alexander Forbes, SAA, Lufthansa, ABSA, Investec, Stuttafords and Engen are just a few of her high-profile clients. Leanne’s motivational talks have been well received, covering various topics from “Love, Life and the Art of Juggling” and “Your and Your Amazing Life” to “Aspiring to Great Heights” and “Transcending Obstacles”.
Business and Charity
An entrepreneur at heart, Leanne and a business partner opened the successful “Simply Manas Gift Emporium” in Africa’s busiest shopping centre; Sandton City. The shop thrived for five years despite a tough economic climate and was eventually closed to allow Leanne to focus on other business ventures. Using personal experience, Leanne partnered with a local production company to release the very popular book and DVD, The Antenatal Guide, as well as afollow-up postnatal DVD.
Being handpicked by the late president, Nelson Mandela, as one of his esteemed 46664 ambassadors, Leanne has taken the great statesman’s causes to heart. On Nelson Mandela Day 2015, Leanne summited Africa’s highest peak, Mt Kilimanjaro, partnering with the Nelson Mandela Foundation and Caring for Girls. Funds raised were used to purchase sanitary towels for young girls in disadvantaged communities.
Academics
Leanne received her Speech and Drama teaching diploma from the prestigious London Trinity College. She also has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and Communications with Honours in English. Her interest in finance journalism led her to completing a Postgraduate Diploma in Economics Journalism from Rhode
University in South Africa.
