Lerato Mbele is an acclaimed economic journalist, seasoned broadcaster and international event emcee known for her sharp analytical skill, warm stage presence and deep understanding of African and global markets. Her career spans more than two decades across major news platforms, beginning at the South African Broadcasting Corporation in 1999, where she anchored News at 10, Public Interest and The Ambassadors. Her ability to translate complex economic themes into clear, compelling dialogue quickly set her apart as one of South Africa’s strongest broadcast voices.
She later became a Senior Business Anchor at CNBC Africa before joining the BBC in 2012, where she hosted influential programs on economics, entrepreneurship, policy and markets. Her interviews have featured some of the most prominent figures in global leadership and finance, including Christine Lagarde, Jim Kim, Bill Gates, Aliko Dangote, John Kerry, Kofi Annan and Muhammad Yunus. She has also interviewed sitting African presidents across multiple regions, giving her rare insight into continental priorities and decision-making.
Lerato Mbele joined the BBC in 2012. Prior to that, Lerato served as a Senior Business Anchor for CNBC Africa. She hosted a variety of business programs and discussions related to the economics, business strategy, stock markets, entrepreneurship and leadership.
Lerato Mbele began her journalism career in 1999 at South Africa’s state-owned broadcaster The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC).
She eventually served as an anchor for the channel’s daily news show News at 10 and also fronted the weekly show, Public Interest and The Ambassadors.
Lerato Mbele has interviewed notable international figures, including Christine Lagarde, Jim Kim, Bill Gates Aliko Dangote, John Kerry, Nobel laureates Kofi Annan and Mohamed Yunus.
She has also interviewed several African presidents such as Paul Kagame, John Dramani Mahama, Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, James Michel and more.
She is also a recipient of a literary award from the World Association of University of Women.
Lerato Mbele is a regular speaker and event host at international conferences that focus mainly on economics and investments in Africa.
She has hosted moderated plenaries and hosted television debates, at World Bank and IMF Annual Meetings, African Development Bank, the United Nations, Nigerian Economic Summit and various international platforms.
Lerato Mbele is a Chevening Scholar who holds an MSc degree in Development Studies from The School of Oriental and African Studies, at the University of London.
She completed her undergraduate and Honours degrees from the Universities of Cape Town and Stellenbosch respectively.
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In this interview, Lerato Mbele provides a clear, grounded analysis of South Africa’s most urgent economic issue: job creation, particularly for young people. She opens by noting that South Africa’s population is predominantly youthful, with roughly 30 to 35 million people under the age of 40. The demand for employment opportunities is therefore immense, and overwhelmingly concentrated among people who want to participate fully in a democratic, economically fair society.
Lerato emphasises that “jobs, jobs, jobs” is a universal acknowledgement across government, labour and business. But recognising the problem is not enough: South Africa needs far stronger alignment around creating an environment that supports expansion, entrepreneurship and investment. She explains that government cannot directly create the volume of jobs required; instead, it must enable conditions for businesses to grow, invest and hire.
She outlines the barriers dampening investor appetite. A sluggish economy limits returns, making South Africa a difficult sell for investors. Frequent labour protests and industrial action create uncertainty. Credit ratings downgrades push up borrowing costs, forcing firms to retreat rather than expand. These factors collectively slow economic momentum and restrict the job market young people depend on.
Despite these constraints, Lerato notes that South African youth remain resilient and determined, as reflected across youth-focused radio stations and media platforms. She believes that even in difficult conditions, young people are actively shaping their own futures and refusing to be deterred.
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