Multiple award-winning Broadcast Anchor, MC, Motivational Speaker and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Leanne Manas, is a renowned leader on the South African media circuit. From Oprah Winfrey to Nelson Mandela, Leanne has interviewed an impressive range of public figures, heads of state, thought-leaders and local and international celebrities. She has also been at the forefront of bringing South Africans some of the biggest News stories over the last 2 decades. Leanne was recently knighted by French President Emmanuel Macron and awarded with the French National Order of Merit for her contribution for media and journalism and her humanitarian work with refugees on the continent and abroad.

She is instantly recognisable as the face of Morning Television as anchor of Morning Live, a hardhitting news broadcast that she has been hosting since 2004. She has been the face of the Vast majority of Breaking news events in an ever changing South Africa, most Notably the death of Nelson Mandela, the dramatic resignation of Jacob Zuma as RSA President and the death of the Mother of the nation Winnie Madikizela Mandela. She has also anchored 4 General Elections, 3 Provincial Elections and 4 Presidential Inaugurations.

Her career has crossed international borders with Leanne broadcasting in London, France, Abu Dhabi, Mauritius, Ghana, Nigeria, Mozambique, Kenya, Gabon, Switzerland, The Netherlands and the United States of America. She was recently in France covering the Rugby World cup where South Africa were victorious.

Broadcasting everyday throughout a Global Pandemic has been the latest event that has been a part of. The total shift of how media is consumed has been a fascinating part of her journey. Leanne has been quoted as saying, “Being able to witness and tell the story of our ever changing lives is my greatest honour.”

Leanne has graced stages around the world hosting and speaking at Major events. Her confidence, professionalism, passion and ability to captivate an audience has seen her gain a reputation as one of the best in the Business. Leanne has interviewed thousands of people in live environments, with this experience she together with experts in the PR and Media industry, have joined forces to establish Manas life. A company that enhances media, broadcasting and presentation skills of corporates and individuals. This is designed for both in person and Online train skills. Her professionalism in a high-pressure environment has been rewarded repeatedly over the years.

In 2023 she 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 Award for her contribution to Impactful Broadcasting and Journalism in South Africa.

Leanne is a four-time winner of People Magazine’s “Best South African Female Television Presenter” and three-time winner of You Magazine’s “Best Overall SA TV Presenter”. She is also the recipient of the Sunday Times/Elle “Most Stylish News/Actuality/Continuity Presenter” Award and You Magazine’s “Most Stylish Television Presenter”, among others. In 2019 Leanne was also awarded a special recognition from the Lebanese Government for her career and humanitarian work. Being handpicked by the late president, Nelson Mandela, as one of his esteemed 46664 ambassadors, Leanne has taken the great statesman’s causes to heart. On Nelson Mandela Day 2015, Leanne summited Africa’s highest peak, Mt Kilimanjaro, partnering with the Nelson Mandela Foundation and Caring for Girls. Funds raised were used to purchase sanitary towels for young girls in disadvantaged communities. Most recently Leanne was appointed a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Goodwill Ambassador for the work that she does with displaced people around the world. At the time she was only the second person on the African continent to be have been appointed a UNHCR Ambassador. Her work with refugees has taken her too many Refugee camps around the world including Kenya, Malawi, Lebanon and Syria. Leanne has just returned from a trip to Northern Mozambiques Cabo Delgado Province where she worked with forcibly displaced people who have been subjected to horrific acts of violence, torture and other human rights abuses.