Already a household name after an impressive stint on MNET Idols in 2008, Liezel van der Westhuizen is currently taking both the South African entertainment and personal branding scenes by storm – and now significantly as a Virtual Speaker as well.

Liezel van der Westhuizen is a:

• With a lauded vocal dexterity which is evident in her work as a voice-over artist, over a decade of acting and meritorious presenting experience in film and television and furthermore, the success of her body of work with top local and international production companies, is beyond reproach.
• She is a renowned international emcee and keynote speaker, who has been intrinsically tied to the success of hundreds of events around the world through her ability to captivate any audience across a variety of industries.

Her relaxed smile, smooth and professional working manner, and her impeccable style, has made her one of the most sought-after presenters and emcees in the country – the digital space included!

Liezel kicked off her public speaking and Emcee career over a decade ago and, to date, has hosted more than 500 events across South Africa and internationally. She has won bronze and silver awards as a member of the Toastmaster’s Society, and is often invited to give motivational talks, covering topics such as: “Beat the Bully”, “Empowering Women”, “Finding Your Inner Strength” and “Personal Brand Personified”.

Coupled with a drive for success and an incredible work ethic in everything Liezel van der Westhuizen does, it is no wonder the sky is the limit for this unique talent.

If the brand fits…

Liezel van der Westhuizen was once cattily nicknamed ‘The Giraffe’ by designer Craig Jacobs, in his Sunday Times society column in 2009. She, and her statuesque sister Monique, stole the spotlight in killer heels that had them towering over other attendees at a Radisson Blu fashion event.

Although the moniker was not meant to be entirely flatteringly at the time, this entrepreneurs ingenuity went on to incorporate the label into everything she does, including the eponymously titled The Giraffe Brand Academy, which she launched soon after. This inventiveness which reflects Liezel’s unending personal drive to offer value to those around her, began as a means of assisting business folk all over the world, to build powerful and authentic personal brands.

The truth of Liezel’s diligent and tech savvy, is evident in:

• The successful rise of hundreds of businesses around the world,
• The development of more visible entrepreneurs and thought-leaders online, and
• A wealth of opportunities seized and fulfilled.

The way in which Liezel van der Westhuizen handled this particular occurrence and, in fact, turned it to her advantage, is a powerful testament to her experience in the personal branding niche. This is someone who can clearly assist organisations and individuals, alike, to turn negative publicity into something wonderfully positive.

The dynamic perspective Liezel chose to take, as opposed to wallowing in the flighty words of others, is a powerful testament to her experience in the personal branding niche. This is someone who can clearly assist organisations and individuals to turn negative publicity into something wonderfully positive.

She won’t even let something like Covid-19s socioeconomic effects stop her and her plans for towering above the rest because Liezel has now added Virtual Speaker to her repertoire.

Liezel van der Westhuizen | Branding

Powerhouse presenter

Liezel van der Westhuizen is the second woman in the world to present the reality television singing competition, Idols. She became a familiar face on the popular competitive music show during Seasons five and six. At the same time she was a presenter on SABC3’s daily breakfast show, Expresso.

She has also presented TV shows for channels SABC3, SuperSport, SABC Sport, MNET, DSTV and SABC 2, and lists her career highlights as Idols, Expresso, The Lunchbox and Soundcheck.

Currently she maintains her daily fitness feature on KFM radio as well as her beloved Fitness Fridays feature on Cape Talk (a radio station that is broadcast in Cape Town). For those seeking more streamlined fitness information daily, Liezel has become the trusted Virtual Gig Guide for the hottest daily workouts which she researches (or tries by recommendation) and shortlists on her social media platforms – this seasoned Speaker is also cultivating a digital presence resonating to more than 100 000 people.

With so much going for her it’s hard to believe it has been just a few years since Liezel van der Westhuizen was “discovered” by Jacaranda FM, after the programme manager heard her working as a Makro announcer, following her TUKSFM apprenticeship.

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