Leanne Manas Celebrates 20 Years of Hosting the Morning Live
Leanne Manas Celebrates 20 Years of Hosting the Morning Live. Time definitely flies when one is having fun. This certainly applies to Leanne Mannas who on this day, 20 years ago, made her debut as the Morning Live host.
In the beginning Leanne worked alongside the late Vuyo Mbuli, who started with the show since its inception on 1 November 1999. Vuyo was her co-host until his untimely death in 2013.
Just like many broadcasters, Leanne has received her fair share of criticism. Ntsiki Mazwai sometimes, picks on her, resulting in the two having hectic twars. In September 2018, Ntsiki said the news anchor was mediocre and was only kept in her position as a result of white privilege.
In 2019, when Leanne celebrated 15 years of being a Morning Live show presenter, Ntsiki attacked her again. The TV personality, poet and musician said she didn’t think that Leanne is amazing at her job. She once again mentioned that she is just white and enjoying privilege.
When one of his fans congratulated her, Leanne humbly said, “It certainly hasn’t been easy but it has been a privilege and honour.”
Leanne’s broadcasting career started in 2001, with the anchoring role at the Essential Business Channel Summit TV. This lasted until 2003. While working in Essential Business Channel Summit TV, she started hosting the SABC 3 programmes, Business Update and Business Focus.
Leanne has also worked for radio stations such as Radio Algoa, Jacaranda FM, SAfm and East Coast Radio.
She is also doing her part to serve her community. Leanne was appointed a Goodwill Ambassador by UNHCR, the United Nations Refugee Agency in January 2019. In 2022, she was honored with a Knighthood of the French National Order of Merit from the French Government. This was for her contribution to journalism, media and various important charitable projects that she has worked on.
In 2023, Leanne was awarded with the SA Style Award in the Media category and also received the Charlotte Mannya Maxeke Institutes “Bring her up Award” in the category Excellence in Social Impact Award for her contribution to Impactful Broadcasting and Journalism in South Africa. Glamour Magazine named Leanne the 2023 Icon Glamour Woman of the year award.