Penny Lebyane
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| Penny Lebyane | |
|---|---|
| Born | Penny Matsidiso Lebyane 25 December 1976 Bushbuckridge, Mbombela, South Africa |
| 🏳️ Nationality | South African |
| 🏫 Education | University of South Africa |
| 💼 Occupation | |
| 📆 Years active | 1998–present |
Penny Matsidiso Lebyane (born 25 December 1976) is a South African radio and television presenter, disc jockey and media entrepreneur. She rose to prominence as a Metro FM DJ (1998–2010) and E.tv breakfast show host (2014–2018), served as a judge on Idols South Africa (season 1) in 2002, has fronted lifestyle and breakfast shows including Motswako (2010–2013) and Sunrise (2014–2018)[1] and has since fronted both community-focused talk series (e.g. The Big Secret) and relationship-advice programmes on Moja Love.[2]
Early life and education
Lebyane was born on 25 December 1976 in Bushbuckridge, Ehlanzeni District, Mpumalanga, and later moved with her family to KwaZulu-Natal.[3] She matriculated from Thaba Jabula High School before earning a National Diploma in Public Relations, Communication and Media Studies at the University of South Africa in 1997.[4]
Career
Community Radio and Metro FM
Lebyane began broadcasting at age 17 on Soweto community stations—initially as a newsreader on The Voice of Soweto[3]—and was recruited by Metro FM in November 1998. Over nearly twelve years at Metro, she hosted flagship slots and became known for her outspoken style.[5]
Television presenting
In 2011 she joined SABC 2’s Motswako as both a host and producer,[5] focusing on women’s empowerment, before signing on to E.tv’s breakfast show Sunrise (2014–2018), where she led daily interviews and current-affairs debates.[2]
- Served as a contestant on I Love South Africa (Season 2).
- Appeared as Noxi in City Ses’la (Season 2).
- Hosted the 8th Metro FM Music Awards alongside Siyabonga Ngwekazi in November 2007
Recent projects
Since 2022, Lebyane has fronted BET Africa’s social-issues series The Big Secret and currently presents Moja Love programmes including Let’s Talk Papgeld (on child maintenance), 360° Insight on the Impact of Child Maintenance SA and the relationship-therapy show UnBreak My Heart. [5][2]
Entrepreneurship
In November 1997, Lebyane founded the Penny Lebyane Company, a media production house through which she develops and hosts community-driven content across radio and television.[4]
Personal life
Lebyane has two children. In 2008, during a high-profile contractual dispute with Metro FM, she separated from her then-husband, Ali Naka, and briefly returned to live with her parents in Soweto.[5] She is based in Randburg, Gauteng.[4] Lebyane also used to date DJ Fresh (South African DJ).[6][7][8]
Filmography
| Year | Show | Role |
|---|---|---|
| (2002) | Idols South Africa | Season 1 | Judge (Herself) |
| (2007) | Metro FM Music Awards (8th annual) | Co-host |
| (2010 – 2013) | Motswako | Co-host/Producer |
| (2014 - 2018) | Sunrise | Anchor |
| (2015) | City Ses’la | Noxi |
| (2015) | I Love South Africa | Contestant (Herself) |
| (2016) | It’s OK We’re Family | Herself |
| (2017) | SAFTAs (9th South African Film and Television Awards | Presenter (Herself) |
| (2022) | The Search: E! Host South Africa | Guest Judge (Herself) |
| (2022-) | The Big Secret | Host (Herself) |
| (2023) | The South African Music Awards (19th SAMAs) | Presenter (Herself) |
References
- ↑ "Penny Lebyane | TVSA". www.tvsa.co.za. Retrieved 2025-05-29.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Penny Lebyane | Celebrity Event MC | Book with Speakers Inc". speakersinc.co.za. Retrieved 2025-05-29.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Penny Lebyane". afternoonexpress.co.za. Retrieved 2025-05-29.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Walubengo, Peris (2022-12-15). "Penny Lebyane's biography: Her age, past with Robert Marawa, marriage, and net worth - Briefly.co.za". briefly.co.za. Retrieved 2025-05-29.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Tsumele, Edward (28 December 2011). "Motswako's Penny Lebyane: 'I wanted to commit suicide'". SowetanLive. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
- ↑ Modise, Kedibone (2023-09-08). "Penny Lebyane rubbishes claims she paid R80k towards DJ Fresh's legal fees". IOL. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
- ↑ Mbhele, Sandisiwe (2021-02-01). "Penny Lebyane and DJ Fresh legal showdown set for Wednesday". The Citizen. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
- ↑ Malatji, Ngwako (2020-08-31). "Lebyane hits back at Fresh claims". Sunday World. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
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