Penny Lebyane
Penny Lebyane | |
|---|---|
| Born | Penny Matsidiso Lebyane 25 December 1976 Bushbuckridge, Mbombela, South Africa |
| Education | University of South Africa |
| Occupations | Radio Host, Television Presenter |
| 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,[1] has fronted lifestyle and breakfast shows including Motswako (2010–2013) and Sunrise (2014–2018)[2] and has since fronted both community-focused talk series (e.g. The Big Secret) and relationship-advice programmes on Moja Love.[3]
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.[4] 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.[5]
Career
Radio
Lebyane began broadcasting at age 17 on Soweto community stations. Initially, she as a newsreader on The Voice of Soweto[6] 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.[7] In 2011, she joined Thobela FM to host Madiboga a Gauta between 11am-1pm.[8]
Television
In 2010 she joined SABC 2's Motswako as both a host and producer,[9] 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.[3]
- 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 hosted BET Africa's social-issues series The Big Secret[10] 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.[11][3]
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.[5]
Personal life
Lebyane has two children.[12][13] 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.[7] She has public said that Ali Naka is a deadbeat father.[14] She is based in Randburg, Gauteng.[5] Lebyane also used to date DJ Fresh (South African DJ).[15][16][17]
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 Biography". 30 March 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
- ^ "Penny Lebyane | TVSA". www.tvsa.co.za. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
- ^ a b c "Penny Lebyane | Celebrity Event MC | Book with Speakers Inc". speakersinc.co.za. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
- ^ "Penny Lebyane". afternoonexpress.co.za. Archived from the original on 13 May 2025. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
- ^ a b c Walubengo, Peris (15 December 2022). "Penny Lebyane's biography: Her age, past with Robert Marawa, marriage, and net worth - Briefly.co.za". briefly.co.za. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
- ^ "Penny Lebyane". afternoonexpress.co.za. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
- ^ a b Tsumele, Edward (28 December 2011). "Motswako's Penny Lebyane: 'I wanted to commit suicide'". SowetanLive. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
- ^ "Penny sparks the airwaves". Sowetan. 29 July 2011. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
- ^ "Penny fumes over new lineup". Sowetan. 7 April 2010. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
- ^ Maako, Keitumetse. "Why Penny Lebyane and The Big Secret S3 just makes sense - 'I like catching people in a lie'". News24. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
- ^ Sekudu, Bonolo. "Penny Lebyane takes legal action against e.tv". News24. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
- ^ Bona, Staff (18 January 2024). "'How things have changed' - Penny Lebyane's son drives to school". Bona Magazine. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
- ^ Katlego (29 May 2025). "'A gift entrusted to me' – Penny Lebyane expresses gratitude on her son's 20th". KAYA 959. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
- ^ Malatji, Ngwako (29 January 2023). "Baby daddy is a deadbeat, says Lebyane". Sunday World. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
- ^ Modise, Kedibone (8 September 2023). "Penny Lebyane rubbishes claims she paid R80k towards DJ Fresh's legal fees". IOL. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
- ^ Mbhele, Sandisiwe (1 February 2021). "Penny Lebyane and DJ Fresh legal showdown set for Wednesday". The Citizen. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
- ^ Malatji, Ngwako (31 August 2020). "Lebyane hits back at Fresh claims". Sunday World. Retrieved 30 May 2025.