Penny Lebyane

☆ Save On Wikipedia ↗
Penny Lebyane
Born
Penny Matsidiso Lebyane

(1976-12-25) 25 December 1976
Bushbuckridge, Mbombela, South Africa
EducationUniversity of South Africa
OccupationsRadio Host, Television Presenter
Years active1998–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

  1. "Penny Lebyane Biography". 30 March 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  2. "Penny Lebyane | TVSA". www.tvsa.co.za. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  3. "Penny Lebyane | Celebrity Event MC | Book with Speakers Inc". speakersinc.co.za. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  4. "Penny Lebyane". afternoonexpress.co.za. Archived from the original on 13 May 2025. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  5. 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.
  6. "Penny Lebyane". afternoonexpress.co.za. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  7. Tsumele, Edward (28 December 2011). "Motswako's Penny Lebyane: 'I wanted to commit suicide'". SowetanLive. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  8. "Penny sparks the airwaves". Sowetan. 29 July 2011. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  9. "Penny fumes over new lineup". Sowetan. 7 April 2010. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  10. 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.
  11. Sekudu, Bonolo. "Penny Lebyane takes legal action against e.tv". News24. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  12. Bona, Staff (18 January 2024). "'How things have changed' - Penny Lebyane's son drives to school". Bona Magazine. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  13. Katlego (29 May 2025). "'A gift entrusted to me' – Penny Lebyane expresses gratitude on her son's 20th". KAYA 959. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  14. Malatji, Ngwako (29 January 2023). "Baby daddy is a deadbeat, says Lebyane". Sunday World. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  15. Modise, Kedibone (8 September 2023). "Penny Lebyane rubbishes claims she paid R80k towards DJ Fresh's legal fees". IOL. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
  16. Mbhele, Sandisiwe (1 February 2021). "Penny Lebyane and DJ Fresh legal showdown set for Wednesday". The Citizen. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
  17. Malatji, Ngwako (31 August 2020). "Lebyane hits back at Fresh claims". Sunday World. Retrieved 30 May 2025.