Palesa Tembe, 33, is a television presenter for three on-air shows — Afternoon Express on SABC 3 and The Home Channel’s Afrimaxx and Finest Homes. She is driven by her love of storytelling — telling important and unheard stories that can inspire change. A challenge she has overcome is being dyslexic in a career where reading is important.
“Reading an autocue or teleprompter live was my worst nightmare and made me instantly anxious,” she says. Palesa overcame this by applying the maxims she grew up with: “Practice makes perfect” and “Perseverance is the key to success”. Palesa is proud of being the ambassador for Panado’s A Dose of Care campaign, which helps nonprofit organisations by organising soup kitchens, community gardens, animal shelters and orphanages around the country.
It was “a reminder that humanity is not lost, and the concept of ubuntu is still at the cornerstone of us, as South Africans. It challenged and inspired me to question what I am doing daily to share a dose of care with those around me,” she says. Palesa is excited by the future the youth can create: “We have capable youths who are committed to pulling up a seat at the table and respectfully helping to make meaningful change in our country.”
Bachelor of Arts: majors Drama and Psychology, Rhodes University.
I was the face of and ambassador for Panado’s A Dose of Care campaign where we gave back to non-profit organisations who are making a positive impact in their communities.
Organising soup kitchens, sustainable community gardens, animal shelters and orphanages, we travelled the country to give back to the heroes of various communities and groups. This taught me that, post-covid, we should be more passionate than ever about uplifting, not only the vulnerable, but also those who support them and don’t expect anything in return. It’s a reminder that humanity is not lost, and the concept of “ubuntu” is still at the cornerstone of us, as South Africans, and the principles that our country’s flag is built on are celebrated, even 30 years post democracy. It challenged and inspired me to question what I am doing daily to share a dose of care with those around me. It doesn’t have to be monetary but through my deeds, words and actions.
Despite the recent controversy surrounding this woman, growing up, Oprah Winfrey was a major influence on me. Seeing her as a black female making extraordinary strides in the entertainment industry around the world made me believe that I could achieve the same. Despite adversity and trauma, she rose like a phoenix from the ashes and went on to greatness. She hosted effortlessly, uplifted marginalised communities, empowered women and children, and did it all whilst entertaining us all.
She was conscious about teaching us financial responsibility, emotional intelligence. She prioritised spirituality and having real open conversations. She was authentic and informative and embodied the type of entertainer and broadcaster I wanted to be. Her business acumen was inspiring and she made anything, any dream, seem possible.