Is Lerato Mbele married? Her relationship history and marriage to Rudy Roberts
Lerato Mbele is a South African journalist, international broadcaster and media personality with a career spanning more than two decades. She has worked for major media organisations, locally and internationally. Her personal life has also attracted public attention, following her wedding to Rudy Roberts in 2018 and her announcement of another engagement in 2025.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Lerato Mbele began her broadcasting career at the South African Broadcasting Corporation in 1999.
- She also worked at CNBC Africa and BBC World News.
- The media personality married Rudy Roberts in 2018 and used the surname Mbele-Roberts publicly for a period.
- In December 2025, Lerato announced her engagement to another person.
- She is a Chevening Scholar and was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2014.
Lerato Mbele's profile summary
Full name | Lerato Mbele |
Gender | Female |
Date of birth | 2 June 1977 |
Age | 49 years old (as of 2026) |
Zodiac sign | Gemini |
Place of birth | Soweto, South Africa |
Current residence | South Africa |
Nationality | South African |
Ethnicity | African |
Religion | Christianity |
Hair colour | Black |
Eye colour | Brown |
Sexuality | Straight |
Relationship status | Engaged |
College | University of Cape Town, Stellenbosch University, University of London |
Profession | Journalist, broadcaster, television presenter and media personality |
Lerato Mbele's fairy tale wedding
Lerato Mbele has largely kept her romantic life away from the public eye. However, some of her social media posts have offered glimpses into significant moments in her love life, including her wedding in 2018 and a later engagement announcement to another person in 2025.
Her first engagement
In September 2017, Lerato appeared to announce that she was engaged. She shared a photograph showing off her ring and described the moment as one that had changed her life forever.
On 28 September 2017, she wrote:
Tonight beneath a crimson African sunset - My life changed for ever.... Officially off the market & thank you @JennaClifford jewels🎉🍾🎊💍💞
She later shared updates about preparations for her wedding. In February 2018, she revealed that work on her wedding dress had begun. She wrote:
Here we go... The process of getting the wedding dress made has officially begun. Got to stop eating niknaks and chocolates. Thank you Biji La Maison I'm excited to see what you come up with💞
Four days later, she shared another post as the wedding date approached. On 14 February 2018, she wrote:
In exactly one month, my life, status & (maybe) my name will change. The countdown has officially begun🍾🎉👰🏽👨🏽💍💝 #weddingvibes #autumn #love #family
Lerato married Rudy Roberts in 2018. A social media post by Taurai Maduna from the period also identified her husband as Rudy Roberts. Following the wedding, Lerato publicly used the name Lerato Mbele-Roberts. Rudy and Lerato largely kept their relationship private.
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A second chance at love
In December 2025, Lerato announced that she had become engaged again. According to her social media post, her partner proposed on a remote sandbank at Flamingo Island in Mauritius.
Her announcement attracted attention because she described the experience as love being better "the second time around," suggesting that she was beginning a new chapter following her earlier relationship. Lerato wrote:
“Love will be better the second time around” - Luther Vandross sang these words. And today, I understood every lyric. He asked on a remote sandbank at Flamingo Island 🇲🇺, and I said YES… this year wasn’t easy, but love made it magical. Cheers to the next chapter in 2026 💍🥂
She has not disclosed the name of her new fiancé to the public.
Where is Lerato from?
Lerato Mbele was born in Soweto, South Africa, and grew up in Pimville. She was born on 2 June 1977 and is 49 years old as of 2026.
Lerato Mbele's education
Mbele has pursued studies in politics, international relations and development. She studied at the University of Cape Town and furthered her education in development studies in the United Kingdom.
She is also a Chevening Scholar and holds a Master of Science degree in Development Studies from the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London.
Career
Lerato Mbele began her broadcasting career at the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) in 1999. She quickly established herself as a respected journalist and eventually became an anchor for News at Ten.
In 2007, Mbele joined CNBC Africa when the channel launched. She became one of its senior business presenters and hosted several programmes covering business and economic affairs. Her work also took her to major international events, including the World Economic Forum, where she interviewed influential figures from the business and political worlds.
Her career reached an international audience in 2012 when she joined BBC News. Mbele helped launch Newsday on the BBC World Service, presenting the weekday programme alongside Lawrence Pollard. The show covered major news and current affairs from around the world, with a strong focus on Africa.
Mbele later became the presenter of Talking Business Africa, a programme that explored the stories, strategies and mindsets behind successful businesses. She took viewers beyond the boardroom and into workplaces to gain a closer look at how entrepreneurs built and managed their companies.
She was also a long-standing presenter of Africa Business Report, a weekly programme examining different sectors of African economies. The show featured prominent business leaders and explored developments shaping the continent's business landscape.
Her interviews have also appeared on BBC World News and World Business Report. In 2014, Mbele's contribution to journalism and her influence as a young leader earned her recognition from the World Economic Forum, which named her among its Young Global Leaders for that year.
Where is Lerato Mbele now?
Lerato Mbele has moved on from her long-running role at BBC World News, where she spent approximately nine years as a television presenter and broadcaster.
She continues to work as an international broadcaster, media professional, speaker and facilitator of thought-leadership conversations. Her professional engagements have included moderating discussions and participating in international forums.
Fast facts about Lerato Mbele
- Lerato Mbele is a South African journalist and international broadcaster.
- She was born in Soweto and grew up in Pimville.
- She began her media career at the age of 21.
- She worked for the South African Broadcasting Corporation.
- Lerato later became a senior business presenter at CNBC Africa.
- She spent several years working for BBC World News.
- Her programmes have included Newsday, Africa Business Report and Talking Business Africa.
- She is a Chevening Scholar.
- The World Economic Forum named her a Young Global Leader in 2014.
- She has moderated discussions at major international institutions.
- She has kept her family life private.
FAQs
- Is Lerato Mbele still with the BBC? No. Lerato Mbele is no longer with BBC World News. During her time at the organisation, she presented Africa-focused business programmes, including Talking Business Africa, Africa Business Report and In Business Africa.
- Is Lerato Mbele on Power FM? The TV personality previously hosted PowerTalk with Lerato Mbele on Power FM. However, reports indicated that she left the station in 2025 after hosting the programme for several years.
- Who is Lerato Mbele's ex-husband? Lerato Mbele married Rudy Roberts in 2018. Following their wedding, she publicly used the surname Lerato Mbele-Roberts.
- Is Lerato Mbele still married? No. She announced a new engagement in December 2025, indicating that she had entered a new chapter in her romantic life.
- Does Lerato Mbele have children? Details about her children have not been publicly confirmed. She generally keeps her family life away from the public spotlight.
Lerato Mbele's story is one of ambition, education and a career built across some of Africa's leading media platforms. From her beginnings in Soweto to international broadcasting, she has created a name that extends beyond South Africa. Her marriage has remained largely private, keeping her professional achievements at the centre of her public story.
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Source: Briefly News
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