If you happened to be watching the glittering Miss South Africa ceremony one Sunday evening in the early autumn of 2015, you will probably remember the moment when an unknown Gauteng beauty with a sincere smile, an infectious laugh and a delicate Jozi accent took the stage at the Sun City Super Bowl.
The remarkably poised 23-year-old defeated 11 other finalists and was crowned the fairest of them all. She went on to make it to the top 10 at Miss World, where she became the Continental Queen of Africa. She distinguished herself from the other candidates by speaking gracefully and eloquently about issues that were close to her heart.
Fast-forward eight years and it’s 2023: the world is in realignment and Liesl Laurie-Mthombeni, a woman of action, is plotting her next bold career move. Despite feeling under the weather, Liesl showed up for our video-chat interview thanks to her legendary work ethic. What appears is a vision of a woman – a wife, a daughter and a philanthropist at heart. Even on a computer screen, her calm and genuine demeanour compels you to sit and listen.
With over a decade of experience empowering others under her belt and a plethora of new entrepreneurial ventures planned, Liesl’s most impressive trait is a fire that has never been snuffed out, regardless of the challenges life threw her way. “I come from a household of empowerment,” says Liesl, who was raised in Eldorado Park, Gauteng, by her grandmother, Lorraine Laurie.
Lorraine was an educator before she retired, so naturally, education was of the utmost importance during Liesl’s upbringing. “I always tell people that I was raised by two generations of strong women,” says the University of Johannesburg B.Com graduate. But the former beauty queen’s childhood was no fairy tale. Her mother was young when she had her and her father was absent, so her grandmother took on the role of guardian and showered Liesl and her little sister with love and affection. She never failed to be there as a guide and sounding board.
“I AM STEPPING INTO A NEW SEASON OF MY LIFE.”
“My grandmom is like my father figure and the anchor of my life – the anchor of our family – and that really made things easier,” she says. “I really do feel blessed for the women that raised me. I wouldn’t have done half of what I did without their influence.” This is high praise when you consider how much Liesl has already accomplished by the age of 32.
As a leading force in philanthropy, part of her plan is to use her platform and passion to transform as many lives as she can. “I am stepping into a new season of my life and going back to what I believe I was destined for,” Liesl says. “I was meant to work in the empowerment space.”
This is why she has already dedicated over a decade of her life to helping charitable causes such as the #TacklingCancer Cycle-a-Thon for Childhood Cancer Foundation, Babies Behind Bars, and her family’s annual Community Christmas lunch. For many years, Liesl volunteered at the Pilgrim Oasis Community Children outreach programme, a non-profit community programme her grandmother started when Liesl was 11 years old.
In 2014, Liesl also launched The Pearl Project, an upliftment programme for young girls in Eldorado park and Soweto. Her level of commitment to her work has made her an inspiring figure who believes in showing compassion, kindness and grace. But behind her gentle allure is a focused, driven and powerful woman who has broken barriers for many other young women whose life starts in the townships.
In her next chapter, Liesl continues to pay it forward and plans to give back through educational workshops that empower the youth. “Female empowerment is extremely important in South Africa, but the male child is also essential,” she says. “That’s why anyone will be able to attend my workshops, which will empower young people to explore their passions and bring their talents to life.”
LOOKING BACK AND MOVING FORWARD
Liesl announced her departure from Jacaranda Radio in June 2022, after seven successful years as a member of the award-winning ‘Breakfast with Martin Bester’ team. She chuckles and insists that there was no tension. “Honestly, the season was done,” she explains. “I had learned what I needed to learn and I had grown as much as I needed to grow. Working with Martin and my team was a phenomenal experience, and another one of those things that exponentially grew me.”
A year before her radio sabbatical, Liesl married former child star, media personality and medical doctor, Musa Mthombeni. The pair started dating in 2020 and, since then, a day has not gone by without their daily catch-up sessions. When asked how she knew Musa was “the one”, she says, “I prayed for him,” and, “I remember just being so calm around him.”
Liesl and Musa’s relationship is testament to what a solid and enduring bond between two people looks like. The pair works harmoniously, encouraging each other to pursue their dreams and embracing many entrepreneurial ventures, from brand partnerships to investments in property and land. “We see ourselves as the generation that needs to build, so our parents can live a comfortable life, and our children can have a better life than we did,” she says.
And who better to do it than this woman of many talents, who continues to use her influence for the greater good? Her story serves as an inspiration to us all. “For me, consideration is one of the highest forms of love – being considerate with everything you do, from how you speak to how you love and even how you argue,” Liesl says. Armed with consideration, compassion and kindness, she is sure to achieve great things in this new season of her life.
LIESL IN A FLASH
LIESL AND MUSA are regulars on the social scene. If they are not posting beautiful and funny photos together, they are working on their businesses. Maintaining balance in their relationship is essential, and the couple prioritises quality time. “We literally make a meeting request for each other so that it’s just the two of us. No phones, no work,” she says.
After emailing the station manager weekly, Liesl was finally given a shot. She joined JACARANDA FM as soon as her reign as Miss South Africa ended in 2016. She is also a trusted BRAND AMBASSADOR for major brands such as Avon.
She enjoys time outside with their dog, Cashew.
Follow her on Instagram @liesllaurie
Words by Koketso Mashika
Photography: Zhann Solomons
