Fast forward 20 years and it’s clear he is on top of his game, interviewing the likes of Will Smith and Oprah Winfrey and co-writing the biography of local celebrity Khanyi Mbau.

 

“It took me a great deal of time to deal with these feelings of inadequacy, but I always remembered the advice I received from the then vice-chancellor of the institution, Prof Recias Malope. He said one must triple one’s efforts in whatever you do, to be sure you are successful,” says Lesley.

 

Born in Katlehong on the East Rand on 15 June 1976, he is now an award-winning celebrity journalist and pop culture guru who has interviewed celebrities from all over the world.

 

Lesley obtained his BA degree in communication from UNIBO in 1996, followed by a BAHons in 1997, majoring in print journalism. He later completed a Media Management Programme at Stellenbosch University.

 

Making his parents proud

 

Though born in Katlehong, Lesley was brought up by his grandparents in a village outside Mahikeng where he did his schooling and moved on to his tertiary studies at what is now the North-West University.

 

Lesley recounts his experience at the NWU’s campus in Mahikeng as a real eye-opener and a time of being exposed to the endless possibilities beyond the environment which he had grown to know.“One of my fondest memories from my student days is of my graduation day in 1997. Standing on the podium and seeing my mother and grandmother waving and ululating in the crowd filled me with pride and a sense of accomplishment. I realised that although an I realised that although I came from a rural village in Lotlhakane, I achieved my goals and did not disappoint my parents,” says Lesley.

 

The year after completing his honours degree, Lesley cut his teeth as a junior reporter with the Sunday Times, covering court proceedings. In 1999, at the same publication, he moved to the entertainment and lifestyle section where he was tasked with reporting on breaking celebrity news. From time to time he also contributed general interest stories to the main body of the newspaper.

 

In 2000, the radio bug bit and Lesley took up another challenge. He became a guest presenter on multiple radio stations, including Metro FM (with Penny Lebyane), YFM (with Rudeboy Paul) and Motsweding FM (with Goitsemodimo Seleka and Alpheus Koonyaditse).

 

Rubbing shoulders with celebrities

 

The biggest highlight of his career was meeting Nelson Mandela. “Can you imagine meeting the world-renowned freedom-fighter-turned-president at the time? It was big.

 

“Then I got the opportunity to interview Hollywood’s finest stars including Will Smith and Oprah Winfrey, and the leading sportswoman of our time, Serena Williams. I also interviewed renowned musicians Regina Belle, Mary J Blige and my childhood music hero, Tevin Campbell,” Lesley recalls.

 

Recently, he wrote the national best-selling biography of media personality Khanyi Mbau titled Bitch, I’m Khanyi Mbau. Following the success of his debut co-authoring project, Lesley is set to co-author his second book, with Somizi Mhlongo, which was due to be released in May 2017, titled Dominoes: The Unbreakable Spirit.