Thobeka Phanyeko has built a career around the power of words. A journalist, Features Editor, life coach, NLP practitioner and storyteller, she has carved out a distinctive place in South African media through her thoughtful approach to conversations around identity, mental wellness, beauty, culture and representation. She currently serves as Features Editor at Glamour South Africa, where her work continues to centre authentic stories and voices that deserve to be heard. She was also named the Western Cape regional winner in the 2023 Vodacom Journalist of the Year Awards in the Sports category for her Glamour feature, “Disruptor”.

Beyond the newsroom, Thobeka is passionate about creating spaces for connection and personal growth. As the founder of the Glamour Book Club, she has brought women together through literature, wellness and meaningful conversation, while her work as a life coach and NLP practitioner has allowed her to extend that impact beyond journalism.

For 10 Moments That Changed My Life, Thobeka reflects on the experiences that have shaped both the woman and mother she is today. From leaving Johannesburg for UCT and finding her place in media, to becoming a mother, losing her grandmother during the COVID-19 pandemic, surviving the virus twice and receiving recognition for her work, these are the moments that taught her about independence, purpose, resilience, love and what truly matters.

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1. Relocating from Johannesburg to Cape Town for my studies at UCT

Thobeka Phanyeko | Supplied

This transition pulled me out of my comfort zone and fundamentally shifted my perspective. It was here that I cultivated fierce independence and honed my leadership capabilities.

2. Entering the media industry as an intern

I hit the ground running, establishing a robust work ethic that has remained the foundation of my career.

3. Working in hard news

This experience expanded my worldview while helping me realise that my personality and passions were better suited to a lifestyle-focused environment.

4. Motherhood

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Becoming a mother has been my greatest challenge and transformation. My daughter remains my biggest blessing and my most profound teacher.

5. Becoming a Life Coach and NLP Practitioner

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Realising this dream allowed me to be more present in my approach to social impact, ultimately solidifying my “why”.

6. Working at a parenting magazine

Engaging with industry experts and a supportive community of mothers not only deepened my appreciation for the journey of motherhood, but also helped me grow as a parent myself.

7. The loss of my grandmother

Florence Thabethe was my anchor and lifeline. I believed she would be a permanent fixture in my life. Although I was based in Cape Town, we had planned for me to visit home that December, but the onset of COVID-19 made that impossible, and we lost her in May 2020.

Working through the ensuing grief and guilt was devastating. While I have never been the same, I find solace in reflecting on her lessons, centred on love, kindness, respect and gratitude, which I now pass on to my daughter. I carry her in my heart, always hoping she would be proud of the woman and mother I have become.

8. Surviving COVID-19

Surviving this illness twice was a terrifying, life-altering experience that sharpened my perspective on what truly matters. On my most difficult day, my thoughts were anchored in my then-six-year-old daughter and the possibility of leaving her behind.

My survival has instilled a renewed sense of fight and a commitment to being more present.

9. Winning the Vodacom Journalist of the Year Regional Award

This recognition from seasoned industry professionals was incredibly validating. Seeing my dedication to my craft recognised in this way has only fuelled my drive to continue pushing boundaries.

10. My first international trip

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I was invited by Club Med to experience a new resort in the French Alps, and the journey was profoundly emotional. It affirmed that my dedication to my craft was bearing fruit and that God deemed me worthy of exploring the world.

Seeing snow for the first time was surreal. I look forward to the day I can experience it again through my daughter’s eyes.

For my France trip, my daughter compiled a list of phrases I should know. She would spend time on Duolingo, and this affirmed that love is a verb.