By Katlego Rammusa:
In a country where countless stories of struggle go unheard, Lerato Makena is refusing silence. She is speaking from the very place many fear to look -pain, loss, and endurance – and turning it into a message of healing and hope. Her journey is not defined by the battles she has faced, but by the strength with which she continues to rise above them, becoming a powerful voice for resilience in a world that desperately needs it.
In a world often overwhelmed by silence around pain, Lerato Makena has chosen something far more powerful – her voice. It is a voice shaped not by ease, but by endurance. Not by perfection, but by survival. And today, it echoes across communities as a testimony of resilience, healing, and unshakable purpose.
Lerato Makena is a mental health activist, life coach, radio presenter, content producer, and community advocate. But behind the titles lies a story carved through years of physical suffering, emotional loss, and relentless rebuilding.
She lives with chronic illness – rheumatoid arthritis, anaemia, endometriosis, severe gastric reflux – and the lingering trauma of three life-altering vehicle accidents. Each condition alone is heavy. Together, they form a daily battle few can imagine.
And yet, she rises.“I live by the phrase that you finish what you start,” she says. “With God by my side, I continue. God has been my anchor, my everything.”
But perhaps her deepest wound is not only physical. Endometriosis took from her the possibility of biological motherhood. A silent grief many never see, but one she carries with dignity. Still, where loss once stood, purpose has taken root. She has embraced motherhood in another form, becoming “mama” to her nieces and nephews, who find warmth in her presence and stability in her love.
“I’ve learned that strength is not about doing everything alone,” Lerato reflects. “It’s about continuing, even when it’s hard.”
And continue she does.
In the world of media, Lerato Makena has carved a space that refuses to be ordinary. As a radio presenter and producer, she has built platforms that do more than entertain -they heal, question, and connect. Her work has crossed cultural and international lines, hosting diplomatic voices and producing features with globally recognized musical ensembles.
Her innovation in broadcasting is unmistakable. She revived and restructured the morning show Morning After, turning it into an award-winning platform. She also created Roundtable: Life Changes Experiences With Leeray, a social dialogue initiative that confronts lived realities head-on – unfiltered, raw, and necessary.
In recognition of her excellence, she has earned accolades, including Best Show and was named National Press Club Northwest University Journalist of the Year 2023 (Community Radio: UNISA Radio).
Beyond broadcasting, her impact stretches into education and mentorship. Through her initiative, You Matter, she mentors high school learners, guiding them academically and emotionally. Under her guidance, schools have achieved 100% pass rates, a reflection of her dedication to shaping futures.
Academically, she holds a National Diploma in Public Relations from the University of Johannesburg and is currently pursuing a BA in Communication Science at UNISA. She has also contributed voluntarily to student development through COMSA at UNISA.
Her influence has not gone unnoticed. She was selected as part of UNISA’s “30 Voices for 30 Years of Democracy” campaign, honouring individuals whose work reflects the spirit of transformation. She was also featured in Youth Month campaigns representing leadership, impact, and youth empowerment.
Born in Limpopo and raised in Mamelodi, Lerato is deeply rooted in family and community. She is the only daughter in her family and grew up alongside two brothers, one of whom has passed on. Despite life’s losses, she remains grounded, expressive, and deeply connected to those around her.
Her digital presence continues to amplify her message -speaking openly about mental health, vulnerability, faith, identity, and healing. She refuses to hide the truth of her journey.
“I am not just what I went through,” she says. “I am what I chose to become.”
Through her story, Lerato challenges the idea of perfection and redefines strength. She stands not as someone untouched by pain, but as someone transformed by it. Her message remains clear and unwavering: Lift them up… even when it’s hard. And in doing so, Lerato Makena continues to lift others – one voice, one story, one life at a time. – @NewsSA_Online
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