"Lerato has been editing titles for the past decade, while also writing for titles such as Marie Claire and Drum magazine, as Contact Media we’re excited to have such a strong editor at the helm. The past 10 years of The Afropolitan were about giving our readers an unparalleled editorial experience and I can’t wait for the magazine’s new journey under Lerato’s editorship,” explains Sean Press, chief executive officer and development director at Contact Media.
Tshabalala, who takes over from Brenda Nyakudya, has extensive commercial experience, having started her magazine career as a journalist 15 years ago at Fairlady. Since then she’s gone onto edit the Sunday Times Lifestyle for five years and then moved on to be the editor of one of the country’s biggest glossy magazines, True Love. In 2013, she was voted by the Mail & Guardian newspaper as one of the 200 Young South Africans to watch. The next year she travelled to America to take part in the Mandela Washington Fellowship, where she studied business and entrepreneurship at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana.
“As a Kaya FM listener – which is the home of The Afropolitan – it’s truly an honour to edit a title that embodies the lifestyle that I already not only believe in, but am also a part of. As somewhat of social media junkie I can’t wait to start growing the magazine’s digital community on social media and creating a place where The Afropolitan reader can interact with likeminded people,” says the 36 year old Joburger.
Like the station, Tshabalala is a proud Johannesburg resident; she grew up in Soweto, first at her grandmother’s house in Meadowlands and then with her parents in Zola. Along with editing The Afropolitan, Tshabalala is about to be a published author, with the release of her debut book, The Way I See It, in July 2016.
“I’m happy that The Afropolitan doesn’t shy away from controversy because my book has been demeaned so offensive that it has a warning sticker on the cover,” chuckles Tshabalala.
“Over the coming years, The Afropolitan magazine will continue to be a space where our readers can enjoy the best in life, we have more events planned for the future and we look forward to continued success with Lerato leading this great title,” concludes Press.
Q&A with Tshabalala
If you could listen to one song for the rest of your life what would it be?
Stevie Wonder’s Love Is In Need of Love Today. Because even though the song was recorded in 1962, it’s still as relevant now as it was then and I suspect it shall remain so for years to come.
It’s #ManCrushMonday, who’s your choice?
Michael B Jordan. I feel strongly that God was in an incredibly good mood when he created that man.
Chicken or beef?
None.
High heels or sneakers?
Both.
First thing you do in the morning?
Check Instagram. It’s a problem.
If money wasn’t an object?
I’d take a private jet to France to visit the Chateau Margaux vineyard and have a bottle of Bordeaux from the 60s.
Whose job do you want?
Anna Wintour’s (the editor in chief of Vogue US). But a close second is Tumelo ‘TK’ Komape, who manages the City of Joburg’s Twitter account. He’s got the best job in SA.
What does being an Afropolitan mean to you?
I could try to come up with clever ways to answer this but I’ll just borrow from Oprah… for me it means living my best life! People would be surprised to know that… I like cigars and beer. Very unladylike I know.
What would you like your epitaph to read?
“She loved a good drink, a great laugh and warm hugs”
*Image courtesy of Victor Dlamini