Chanley Wong: How this TV presenter became a role model for young South Africans
Chanley Wong is a SAFTA-nominated TV presenter and digital content creator known for co-hosting the S3 breakfast program Expresso Morning Show. The University of Johannesburg graduate made her presenting debut in 2013 on eTV youth programs. Today, Chanley is living her dream and told Independent Media Lifestyle in February 2026:
Opportunity often tests your patience before it rewards your talent, and if you're not willing to wait for it, you probably don't want it badly enough.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Chanley Wong initially gained recognition in the 2010s as a youth and children's TV presenter on popular eTV programs such as Frenzy, Craze World Live, and Sistahood.
- The Benoni native grew up in a Chinese-coloured household alongside her three older siblings.
- Chanley previously won The Best Youth Role Model Award and is the youngest ever nominee for a South African Film and Television Award.
Chanley Wong's profile summary
Full name | Chanley Wong |
Date of birth | April 29, 1992 |
Age | 34 years old (as of September 2026) |
Place of birth | Benoni, Ekurhuleni, South Africa |
Current residence | Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa |
Nationality | South African |
Ethnicity | Mixed Chinese-Coloured |
Languages | Afrikaans, English |
Gender | Female |
Height | 4 feet 11 inches (1.51 m/151 cm) |
Hair colour | Black |
Eye colour | Dark brown |
Parents | Pierre Wong (Father) |
Siblings | Leanne Wong (Sister) Kelly Wong (Sister) |
Education | University of Johannesburg (BA Strategic Communications) St Dunstan's College |
Profession | TV presenter, actress, content creator, model |
Social media |
Chanley Wong's biography
Chanley Wong was born on April 29, 1992, in Benoni, a small town in Ekurhuleni, where Charlize Theron also grew up. In 2014, she became the face of her city when she was crowned Miss Benoni at 22 during the Mr and Miss Benoni pageant. While explaining what she loves about her hometown, Chanley told Bliss in 2015:
I love everything about Benoni. That is why I entered Miss Benoni. It is such an amazing platform for me to give back to my community... I always put it out there that I'm from Benoni. Wherever I go in my career and in the future, I will always tell people that I'm from Benoni.
Wong studied at St. Dunstan’s College, a private school in Benoni. She later graduated from the University of Johannesburg in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Strategic Communications.
Source: Original
Who are Chanley Wong's parents and siblings?
Chanley Wong’s mother is often referred to as Mama Wong on social media, while her father is Pierre Wong, popularly known as Mr Miyagi. She occasionally features her parents in her online content. During Chinese New Year in February 2026, Chanley's dad joined her on the Expresso Show Morning to discuss meals for celebrating the occasion.
The TV presenter is the youngest sibling, with two older sisters, Leanne and Kelly, and an older brother. Chanley’s sister, Leanne Wong, won the Miss Benoni title in 2000 before she took the crown 14 years later.
Chanley Wong's ethnicity
Wong's heritage has always been a big part of her identity on and off camera. She calls herself Mix-Masala because of her mixed-race heritage with Chinese ancestry on her father's side and Coloured roots from her mother's side.
The former Miss Benoni speaks fluent English and Afrikaans. Chanley Wong’s South African social media fans often refer to her as "die Chinese meisie wat Afrikaans praat" ("the Chinese girl who speaks Afrikaans").
Is Chanley Wong married?
The former Sistahood host is not married and often keeps her love life private. Wong’s publicly known ex-boyfriend is South African singer-songwriter Jethro Tait. In a June 2025 Instagram post, Chanley uploaded her wedding photoshoot with the playful caption, "still practising being someone’s wife, in the meantime."
Chanley does not have kids yet, but she is a doting aunt to her nieces and nephews. On Mother’s Day in May 2021, her older sister Leanne Wong appreciated her for being her kids’ bonus mom.
Thank you for being our lil ones' "Extra Mommy". You always show up no matter what... We couldn't do this without u.
Chanley Wong's television career
Wong began her television career in 2013 after winning a spot in nationwide auditions for eTV youth television programming. Her first gig was as a host on Sistahood, an eTV show for young girls. Chanley also presented on the eTV shows Frenzy, ShizLive, and Craz-e World Live.
Chanley received the Best Youth Role Model Award from the South African Flower Union in 2014. In 2016 and 2017, Wong earned consecutive nominations for Best Television Presenter at the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs). The Benoni native became the youngest individual ever nominated in that category at 23.
After taking a seven-year break from television, Chanley Wong returned in February 2026. She joined S3’s Expresso Morning Show, where she broadcasts live from the show’s Johannesburg office alongside Zanele Potelwa. Wong, who had previously unsuccessfully tried to join the show in 2018, said of her new role:
While it wasn't my time then, I've learned that a dream isn’t denied — it's often just delayed until you're ready. Being here now feels like proof of that.
The former Miss Benoni is also an actress. Chanley Wong made her acting debut in 2018 on the eTV soapie Scandal! as Ms Jasmine Gee.
Chanley Wong's digital content creation
Outside of television, Chanley Wong has expanded her brand into online content creation. She established her blog, WongWay, to share content on food, beauty, fashion, and lifestyle.
Chanley also has a growing social media fanbase with over 21,600 Instagram followers and more than 162,900 TikTok followers. In 2022, she was nominated for the Netwerk24 Smaakmaker award at the inaugural DStv Content Creator Awards.
Wong previously worked as part of the on-the-ground team for the 947 AMP Squad at the Johannesburg-based radio station 947. She handled content and stayed connected with local stories.
Because of her influence as a content creator and TV personality, Chanley Wong has been an ambassador for major brands such as Converse, Claire’s, Nissan, Suzuki, Samsung, Virgin Active, Mr Price Home, Playboy Deodorant, and Estee Lauder.
FAQs
- Who is Chanley Wong? She is a South African TV presenter, digital content creator, model, and actress known for hosting the shows Sistahood on eTV and Expresso Morning Show on S3.
- What is Chanley Wong's age? The Expresso Morning Show co-host is 34 years old as of September 2026. Chanley was born on April 29, 1992, in Benoni.
- How tall is Chanley Wong? The television presenter is 5 feet 11.5 inches (1.51 m/151 cm) tall, per her Talent-Etc profile.
- What shoe size does Chanley Wong wear? The Benoni native wears shoe size 1, which she often jokes about because she has to shop in the kids' section.
Conclusion
Chanley Wong has been a role model for many young South Africans for over a decade. Since her debut in 2013, the Benoni native has remained relatable to her fans by bringing warmth and a relentless work ethic to her craft. Chanley is also known for her close-knit family and for always being proud of her roots.
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Source: Briefly News
Ruth Gitonga (Lifestyle writer) Ruth Gitonga has a background experience in Mass Communication for over six years. She graduated from the University of Nairobi with a degree in Mass Communication in December 2014. In 2023, Ruth finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. She has worked for Briefly.co.za for seven years now. She specializes in topics like lifestyle, entertainment, travel, technology, and sports. Email: gitongaruth14@gmail.com.
Alice Wabwile (Lifestyle writer) Alice Wabwile is a multifaceted lifestyle writer boasting over six years of experience. As a BCom graduate from the University of Nairobi, she has cultivated a dynamic skill set through roles such as her tenure at Strathmore University's Data Science Department, where she contributed significantly to research. Alice has a proven track record of excellence, evidenced by her recognition as Briefly News Writer of the Year in 2023. Outside of her love for reading and writing, Alice is an engaged member of the Rotaract Club of Kabete. For inquiries, reach out to her at alicenjoro01@gmail.com
