About Lerato Manaka

Lerato Manaka, a 41-year-old former white-collar criminal turned crime prevention activist and keynote speaker, has lived a life marked by significant transformation. Born and raised in the Free State Province of South Africa, Lerato is a mother of three, a wife, sister, daughter, and granddaughter whose journey from crime to activism is a story of profound redemption.

Lerato's path to change began with a strong educational foundation. After completing her senior certificate at Welkom High School in 2001, she moved to Johannesburg to pursue higher education. Lerato earned a National Diploma in Management from the University of Johannesburg and a Financial Services Advisory qualification from the University of South Africa. This educational background laid the groundwork for her initial career in finance.

Growing up in a strict household, Lerato was restricted from forming friendships outside of school and church. This upbringing led to antisocial behavior, low self-esteem, and a constant need for validation. Despite these challenges, her family instilled religious values and prioritized education, significantly impacting her future.

Lerato also faced family struggles with obesity and alcohol abuse. Amidst these difficulties, she found joy in her achievements, such as winning a Gold trophy for Needlework in grade 5 and a silver medal in Chess at the Regional Competitions in high school.

At 20, Lerato's life took a tragic turn when her father passed away after a short illness. Shortly afterward, her mother disowned her, and Lerato spiraled into a life of partying, drinking, and smoking. By 21, she was pregnant and facing significant financial hardship.

Working as a Head Office Accountant, Lerato had access to her employer's bank accounts. Struggling with mounting debts, school fees, and the imminent threat of losing her family car, she made a fateful decision to commit fraud by transferring small amounts of money into her husband's bank account, believing they would go unnoticed.

Lerato's crimes were exposed six months later when her manager received an anonymous tip-off via email. Both Lerato and her husband were arrested in 2012 when she was just 29 years old. Released on bail pending trial, Lerato found it nearly impossible to secure employment due to her criminal record, pushing her to start a business to survive.

After a lengthy five-year court trial, she was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment, with 4 years suspended, in 2017. She served 2 years and 6 months at Johannesburg Correctional Centre before being released on early parole due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

Lerato's time in the Correctional Centre became a turning point. She realized that fraud, often seen as a minor crime, had devastating consequences. Her actions led to job losses for innocent employees, negatively impacted the South African economy, and hurt her family and friends emotionally and financially.

Through rehabilitation programs offered by the Department of Correctional Services, Lerato learned crucial life lessons, including tolerance, patience, time management, respect, and self-realization. She chose to embrace this process, accept responsibility for her actions, and work towards correcting her mistakes.

Today, Lerato is the Founder and CEO of the Modiehi Mongale Foundation NPO, a non-profit organization dedicated to addressing socio-economic issues among offenders, parolees, and ex-offenders. She also serves as the Managing Director of Leraman Media, a communications and marketing company.

Through her work as a keynote speaker and crime prevention activist, Lerato shares her story to inspire others and prevent them from making similar mistakes. Her journey is a powerful reminder that it is never too late to turn one's life around and make a positive impact on society.

Lerato Manaka's story is one of hope and redemption. Despite the hardships she faced in childhood, the tragic loss of her father, and her subsequent descent into criminal activity, Lerato found the strength to correct her mistakes and rebuild her life. Her experiences have shaped her into a passionate advocate for crime prevention and rehabilitation.

Her message is clear: "It might take a near-death experience to change your life; for me, it took going to a Correctional Centre to change mine. I didn't go to prison; I went to a Correctional Centre to correct my mistakes!"

Through her work with the Modiehi Mongale Foundation NPO and her public speaking, Lerato continues to inspire others and positively impact the lives of offenders, parolees, and ex-offenders. Her story is a testament to the power of second chances and the crucial role of rehabilitation in the criminal justice system.

For inquiries or to schedule a speaking engagement, please contact us at +27 87 250 2650 or bookings@leraman.co.za.