Beautiful journalism

Lerato Mbele and Khanyi Dhlomo are regarded by many as the two most fashionable and elegant women in media. The two are major players in an industry that has for years been dominated by men in grey suits and they do it looking as graceful as ever. WRITTEN BY NOZUKO BASSON

T he South African media, since the birth of democracy, has gone through dramatic changes which have led it to where it is today. In her address delivered on 7 March 2006 at the launch of the Global Media Monitoring Project (GMMP) at Constitution Hill, Braamfontein, the then Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka highlighted the question “who makes the news?” According to the GMMP findings, it was clear that women did.

The rights to dignity, equality, and non-sexism were the cornerstones of the Freedom Charter and were subsequently included as founding provisions in the South African Constitution. “Women’s rights are included in our Bill of Rights today,” said Mlambo-Ngcuka. With that in mind, it would only be fair to say that for equality to take place in the media, it is up to the individual to make a difference.

Khanyi Dhlomo, founding editor of Destiny magazine and managing director of Ndalo Media, and Lerato Mbele, anchor of CNBC Africa’s The Other Dimension, have set a new standard of class and elegance in media. According to numerous news reports in the Sowetan, the two are a combination of “beauty and brains” and are always finding ways to empower the South African woman through their influence in media.

Who can forget the Face of Lux who took a black women’s magazine and revamped it to become South Africa’s best seller. During her years with True Love magazine, Dhlomo received many awards. In 1997 she was voted South Africa’s ‘Best Dressed Woman’ and ‘Most Stylish News Reader’ by Elle magazine and in 2001 AdVantage voted her ‘Magazine Editor of the Year’.

It was by being the best that Dhlomo changed the world of women’s magazines. Under her leadership, True Love doubled its readership and circulation figures and was voted ‘Consumer Magazine of the Year’ in 2001 by AdVantage. In 2003, Dhlomo was named one of the most influential women in media by The Media magazine.

Now back with a new “baby” called Destiny, Dhlomo has gathered some of the top women in South African media to create a high-end business and lifestyle magazine for women. They include Aurelia Dyantyi from The Star, Ingrid Wood from Elle magazine and Cara Bouwer, former deputy special projects manager for Business Day.

In an email interview about her role as editor, Dhlomo said: “As founding editor of Destiny magazine and managing director of Ndalo media, my job entails driving all aspects of the magazine from editorial content, directing sales and marketing teams and working with the operations manager to ensure long term growth of Destiny.”

Like Dhlomo, Mbele is no stranger to the pressures of the media world and is vocal about her passion for the development of young women in South Africa and Africa. Mainly focusing on political affairs through
the broadcasting medium, Mbele has been one of the few women in media who has changed the way women are represented in the industry. “I feel wonderful when I am told that I am a role model and then being invited to do outreach and charity work with young women who need encouragement,” says Mbele.

At the start of her career, Mbele produced the current affairs radio programme AM Live at SAfm. Because of her dedication, hard work and passion for African affairs, Mbele proved she was a woman who could be the voice of Africa, something media companies soon realised when she began making headlines with her journalistic skills.

Soon after she left SAfm, Mbele was approached by SABC Africa to anchor a weekly programme focusing on diplomacy and politics. On her return from London, where she had completed a postgraduate degree in African Studies, she was approached by SABC News to host the SABC 3 News@10 and In the Public Interest. In 2007, CNBC Africa approached her. She was to be the face of The Other Dimension, a current affairs television programme that focuses on issues that affect Africa and its people.

“It’s important to realise that TV is team work, and many people are paid to make you look and sound good, so acknowledge them and respect them,” says Mbele. It’s no wonder that The Star called Mbele one of the ‘Top 100 South Africans’ in 2006.

This thirty-year-old dazzles viewers with her beauty, intelligence and professionalism. Having had the honour of interviewing African leaders and other great people of our time, Mbele not only demands the total attention of her viewers, but does it with grace and elegance. “Each Tuesday night I interview world leaders, mainly African, about the challenges we face on the continent and I get their perspective on finding solutions to Africa’s problems,” says Mbele.

Inspired by different things in life, Mbele has relied on the mercy of God. “It is important to note that I am where I am by the grace and blessings that God has brought upon me, so saying thank you to my Redeemer is the nucleus of how I start and end my day,” says Mbele.

Talent goes a long way in the journalism business, but hard work and determination are key factors when wanting to make a difference. Though many people think these two women are glamorous, they are in fact, down to earth. Maybe this is why they are able to understand the daily experiences lived by any woman.

Lerato Mbele

What does your job entail?

I cover business and market news about Africa, to the rest of Africa. That’s done on my daily breakfast programme, Business AM. The other programme I present is on politics and the economy, entitled The Other Dimension.

What dress code does your job require?

News, especially business news, requires a level of conservative formality, usually dark suits. But I like fitted wrap-around dresses, so it’s usually a dress and a smart, matching jacket, or if I wear a formal suit, then after the show I change into jeans and a smart top.

How do you dress to meet those requirements?

Fortunately, as a senior anchor at CNBC, I have been given a sponsorship deal with Stuttafords, so I have been able to choose from their gorgeous Polo, Oaktree and Carducci ranges. When I spend my own money, I love the Woolworths Classic Woman range, Nicci Boutique, Hip-Hop and Jo Borkett for some eclectic velvets and French cuts.

Do you dress to look the part, or does being comfortable contribute?

Comfort is key! I think in TV and in life, it’s important to be yourself. Viewers see past the expensive clothes and coiffed hair, if you are elegant and soulful it will come across whatever you’re wearing. So a professional demeanour is important, but it’s critical to be comfortable in your own skin.

Who is your favourite designer?

Stoned Cherri, Prada, Yves St. Laurent and most things that are just elegant and clean-lined.
Define what power dressing means to you?
It means being feminine and elegant and comfortable.

Does being a public figure determine how you dress?

Never!

What is the greatest moment in your career?

Having Nobel Peace Prize winners Wangari Maathai and FW De Klerk on the show. Getting an interview with President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and United States civil rights activist and Baptist minister, Jesse Jackson a few years ago.

What is your key to success?

Humility and confidence all wrapped up in spirituality. I believe it’s absolutely important to believe in yourself and trust your own instinct. But even with this level of confidence, it’s important to recognise your limitations, so that you are open to learning from others.

What are your ambitions in life and what motivates you towards them?

I strive to be a woman of beauty, peace and integrity…That’s all that matters at the end of the day.

Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

Maybe in business, maybe doing an Oprah-style talk show, maybe being a mother, maybe doing all these things in one go.

Khanyi Dhlomo

What does your job entail?

As managing director I am concerned with driving business growth by continuing to explore new opportunities and ventures for Ndalo Media.

What dress code does your job require?

One that is quite formal and professional.

How do you dress to meet those requirements?

I love tailored suits and shirts. I also love dresses that make me feel feminine.

Do you dress to look the part or does being comfortable contribute?

A little bit of both. I always try to be comfortable in whatever I wear whilst respecting the dress code.

Who is your favourite designer?

Diane von Furstenberg, Dior, Bottega, and Veneta.

Define what power dressing means to you?

It’s when you wear the clothes, and not the other way round. I understand my body and dress accordingly by playing up my best features. With this in place, I automatically feel more confident about my look. I always try not to succumb to trends and fads by choosing timeless pieces.

Does being a public figure determine how you dress?

I always like to look presentable in whatever I wear. But I always like to be true to myself when I dress.

What is the greatest moment in your career?

Obtaining my MBA from Harvard in 2007 and the launch of Destiny magazine.

What is your key to success?

Focus, hard work and being good to others and to yourself.

What are your ambitions in life and what motivates you towards them?

I want to grow my business into a leading media and investment company in South Africa and stay as happy as I am now.