Leanne Manas
Leanne Manas | |
|---|---|
Manas in 2012 | |
| Born | 14 October 1978 Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Education | Rhodes University |
| Occupations | |
| Years active | 2001–present |
| Notable work | Morning Live |
| Spouse |
Marc Menelaou (m. 2005) |
| Children | 2 |
Leanne Manas (/ˈmɑːnəs/ MAH-nəs; born 14 October 1978) is a South African television presenter, businesswoman and journalist. She is best known as the anchor of the South African Broadcasting Corporation's flagship morning programme Morning Live, a position she has held since 2004.[1][2] In addition to her broadcasting career, she serves as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and is active in humanitarian and social impact initiatives.[3]
In 2022, Manas was awarded the French National Order of Merit, specifically Chevalier de l’Ordre national du Mérite, by the French government in recognition of her contribution to journalism, media, and charitable projects.[4] The following year she received the SA Style Award in the Media category, the Charlotte Mannya Maxeke Institute's "Bring Her Up" Award for Excellence in Social Impact,[5] and was named Glamour Magazine's Icon Woman of the Year.[6][7]
Education
Manas holds a BA Honours degree in English and Communications and a Diploma in Speech and Drama teaching from Trinity College London.[8] She later completed a Postgraduate certificate in Economics Journalism at Rhodes University.[9]
Career
Manas began her broadcasting career in 2001 as a news anchor for the business channel Summit TV.[9] She went on to host SABC 3's Business Update and Business Focus[10] before joining Morning Live on SABC 2 in August 2004. She has remained the show's main presenter since then.[11][12]
In addition to her television work, Manas has presented on several South African radio stations, including Algoa FM,[13] Jacaranda FM, Radio 702,[14] SAfm[15] and East Coast Radio.[16] She is also active as a public speaker, MC and corporate trainer.[8]
In January 2019, she was named a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador. As part of this role, she has reported from refugee camps in Kenya and Malawi, hosted the Nansen Refugee Award ceremony in Geneva, and supported fundraising and awareness initiatives for displaced communities.[17][18]
References
- ^ Ferreira, Thinus (11 August 2024). "From nervous newbie to iconic anchor: Leanne Manas celebrates 20 years on Morning Live". News24. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
- ^ "Leanne Manas | TVSA". www.tvsa.co.za. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
- ^ "Leanne Manas". UNHCR. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
- ^ "Leanne Manas awarded French National Order Merit". The Witness. 19 May 2022. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
- ^ "'An absolute honour': Leanne Manas and Sakina Kamwendo get nod from Charlotte Mannya-Maxeke Institute". TimesLIVE. 2 September 2023. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
- ^ Phanyeko, Thobeka (14 December 2023). "All hail the ICON: Leanne Manas on building her legacy". www.glamour.co.za. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
- ^ "Leanne Manas Who's Who". Archived from the original on 9 January 2018. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
- ^ a b "Leanne Manas web CV" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 January 2018. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
- ^ a b "Fans congratulate Leanne Manas on 15-year anniversary at SABC". www.ru.ac.za. 8 August 2016. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
- ^ "manas – Lebanese South Africa". Retrieved 20 August 2025.
- ^ Keteyi, Oluthando (2024). "'A privilege and honour': Leanne Manas celebrates 20 years on 'Morning Live'". IOL. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
- ^ Ferreira, Thinus (7 August 2024). "TV with Thinus: Leanne Manas marks 20 years as SABC2's Morning Live anchor". TV with Thinus. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
- ^ "Leanne Manas on the secrets of being a successful journalist and the importance of being heard - Top Women". 21 September 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
- ^ "Style council - Leanne Manas". IOL. 17 June 2003. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
- ^ Kaiser, Hein (18 July 2025). "Leanne Manas: A South African TV legend". The Citizen. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
- ^ "Leanne Manas". Motivators. 21 March 2023. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
- ^ Bond, Kate. "2019 Nansen Refugee Award 'a symbol of hope' for the world's stateless". UNHCR. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
- ^ Nolos, Jack (2 October 2019). "Kyrgyz human rights lawyer wins UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award". UNHCR Canada. Retrieved 20 August 2025.