Lerato Mbele entered the world of broadcasting in 1999, beginning her career as a journalism intern at the SABC. Soon thereafter she began working as a producer on the acclaimed radio current affairs programme “AM-LIVE” at SAfm. But her love of African affairs made her itch for something more on the broadcast platform. Within nine months of her burgeoning radio career, Lerato was approached by SABC Africa to anchor a weekly programme focusing on diplomacy and politics. The show called “The Ambassadors” proved to be extremely successful and provided a wonderful training ground for the anchor.

After two years at SABC Africa, Lerato took time out of the media to pursue her postgraduate studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) at the University of London, England. Upon her return to South Africa she changed gear and worked as a political scientist at the SA Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA). This period of her life culminated in Lerato co-writing the book “Designing Democracy” on the challenges of establishing democracy in Africa.

After her stint at SAIIA, Lerato was head-hunted by SABC News, to anchor the newly launched “News@10” as well as “In the Public Interest”, a media review current affairs show. It is with this background that CNBC Africa approached Lerato to join them. At CNBC Africa Lerato will anchor the political economy programme “The Other Dimension”.

Lerato Mbele holds a BA in Political Studies and Anthropology, a BA (Hons) in International Relations as well as a MSC in Development Studies.