Liezel van der Westhuizen

Guest Speaker Liezel van der Westhuizen can best be described as energetic, empowering, sharp-witted, and dynamically skilled. She brings life and success to events, television & radio shows, and entrepreneurial journeys worldwide.

Seasoned and very much in demand, it is fascinating that the towering communication talent, nicknamed ‘The Giraffe’ in The Sunday Times, was “discovered” in a behind-the-scenes gig by a radio station program manager. At the time, Liezel was working at Jacaranda FM, and also making some noise as an Announcer in a local store. Not one to fear anything – especially hard work – this voiceover artist was also successfully multitasking as a proficient Public Relations Manager at Virgin Music.

Beyond being on some of the most listened-to airwaves, Liezel also became a household name after an impressive stint as the presenter of the hit South African music competition show, ‘Idols’. She has captivated audiences the world over for years as a global Emcee, Executive Business, and certified Mental Fitness Coach, Motivational Speaker (specializing in Mental and business coaching) as well as being an authority in Personal Branding and doing effective Speaker Training.

Liezel’s passion for education and communication is evident through her acquisition of three degrees which have been invaluable in laying the groundwork for a rewarding and award-winning career.

She has successfully attained degrees in Human Resources Management (BCom), a B. Com Honours, and a Master’s degree in Business Communications. Liezel is also a certified Mindvalley Business Coach as well as a Mental Fitness Coach working with sales managers; high performers and execs in the business world. ;

Levelling up on her experience, ‘The Giraffe’ is also adept at Reputation Management that has seen the talent she managed reach new & positive heights, as reflected in her successful work with clients like Lenny Kravitz, Atomic Kitten, and Sara Brightman; Kelis, Backstreet Boys, Mandoza, and Watershed. She has received glowing recommendations as the Public Relations Manager for Virgin Records.

A relaxed smile, incomparable work ethic, and an impeccable style have resulted in Liezel being one of the most sought-after talents, both locally and internationally.

Liezel has successfully hosted more than 5 000 events across South Africa, as well as in popular eventing destinations such as Indonesia, the United Kingdom, Italy, Romania, Bali, Thailand, Hong Kong, and the Seychelles – all this, since launching her Presenting career in South Africa, ten years ago! ‘The Giraffe’s panache and infectious energy are beyond reproach, and events are enhanced by it.
Through her inspirational journey which has led her to tower above the competition, Liezel is still a hot commodity who has, and still is, being invited to do Motivational Talks and deliver Keynote Addresses. She successfully motivates, coaches, and inspires, using topics like:

• Break Through Self-Sabotage: Mental Fitness Strategies for Corporate Excellence
• Unstoppable Resilience: Liezel van der Westhuizen’s Story of Grit and Corporate Success
• Boost Employee Wellness & Team Performance with Laughter Yoga Workshops

With her impactful and consistently relevant Talks and Keynotes, Liezel has successfully positioned her audience to be turbocharged with a positive outlook, actionable intel, and an essential knowledge toolkit, which are instrumental to target & reach an individual’s goals.

With just a mic in her orbit and passion running through her veins, Liezel can inspire people even in fitness and dance situations. She’s a history-maker as the second woman in the world to present a music competition television show called ‘Idols’, and then subsequently becoming a familiar face on the popular reality show in seasons five and six too.

Liezel sparks action through her daily Feel Great Fitness Guide on KFM94.5, where she spotlights gyms, studios, and wellness offerings across the Western Cape-motivating listeners to explore, move, and feel good. She’s also a daily voice on the Africa Melane Show on CapeTalk and Talk Radio 702, inspiring thousands to embrace an active lifestyle (with a dash of adventure). As a Certified Lagree Megaformer Instructor and Laughter Yoga Teacher, she brings both grit and joy to the pursuit of fitness.

Away from the microphones and cameras, Liezel also enjoys a variety of sporting challenges and often uses them to give support to various fitness-related community programs, and charitable endeavours.
Liezel was the first person to cycle a bicycle campaigned by social media, during the famed Cape Town Cycle Tour, to raise funds for the local cycling program Velokhaya. In line with her drive for good education for all, she’s been passionately involved with a Cape Town-based nonprofit charity too, which is situated in Khayelitsha. Here she uses a range of holistic, education-based cycling programs, to uplift local children.

Additionally, in 2018 she became the first woman to pilot a visually impaired athlete across the Himalayas on a tandem bicycle to raise funds for Operation Smile and One Sight. The fitness enthusiast went on to also complete the Robben Island SUP crossing on a Stand Up Paddleboard – having competed in the FREEDOM paddle around Robben Island on an S3 surf ski the previous month.

In 2022, she braved the Cape waters to swim from Robben Island to Bloubergstrand (7.5km) in order to raise funds for SEA RESCUE SA, in addition to having completed several other tough sporting events including the infamous Ironman Triathlons, several Dusi Canoe Marathons as well as the Midmar mile.

Yes, she can truly claim a lifetime of outdoor adventures!