JJ Tabane is a 59 year-old communications expert, political commentator, author, TV and radio presenter, and businessman born on July 30th, 1964, and well-known as the host of eNCA’s Power to Truth. His wife is Nonhlanhla Tabane.
For many years, JJ Tabane has executed diverse roles in the media industry. He was a spokesperson for the Congress of the People and a government spokesperson associated with the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism. He has also presented shows on radio and TV and worked for SABC3, Newzroom Afrika, Power 98.7 FM, and eNCA. He is presently an adjunct professor at UNISA’s Graduate School of Business Leadership.
JJ Tabane’s Biography Summary
- Full name: Onkogopotse JJ Tabane
- Nickname: JJ Tabane
- Gender: Male
- Date of birth: July 30th, 1964
- JJ Tabane’s Age: 59 years old
- Ethnicity: Black
- Nationality: South African
- Zodiac Sign: Leo
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
- Religion: Christian
- Marital Status: Married
- JJ Tabane’s Wife: Nonhlanhla Tabane
- JJ Tabane’s Children: 2; Oreabeste and Resego Tabane
- JJ Tabane’s Parents: Helen Mapako and Matthew Tabane
- Siblings: 2; Keorapetse (sister)
- JJ Tabane’s Net worth: $1 million+
- Famous for: Being a communications expert, TV and radio presenter, political commentator, author, and businessman
- JJ Tabane’s Instagram: @onkgopotsejj
- Twitter: @JJTabane
- Facebook: @OnkgopotseJJTabane
What Is JJ Tabane’s Age?
JJ Tabane is 59 years old as of 2024. He was born in South Africa on July 30, 1964, and Leo is his Zodiac sign. Having been trained to value education by his parents, Tabane achieved a PhD degree in early July 2020 at the age of 55.
JJ Tabane’s Family Background
JJ Tabane’s father is Rev. Matthews Tabane, and his mother, Helen Mapako, is late. His dad is originally from Mathibestad near Hammanskraal, while his mom hailed from Bethanie. JJ Tabane’s parents met when his father was teaching in Bethanie.
Both his parents were educators and instilled in their children the longing for sound education. While Tabane’s mother was a senior lecturer at Hebron College, his father worked as a teacher at Lerothodi High School in Bethanie. Later, in 1984, Matthews Tabane was ordained a deacon in the Anglican Church by the late Bishop Richard Craft. He then became a Reverend at St. Alban’s Cathedral the following year.
Additionally, JJ Tabane grew up with his two siblings, a brother and a sister. During former President Thabo Mbeki‘s administration, his brother reportedly worked in the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs. His sister, Keorapetse, on the other hand, is a medical doctor who has worked at a hospital located in Pietersburg.
JJ Tabane’s Qualifications
Having been raised by educators, it’s no surprise that JJ Tabane has remarkable educational achievements. He first obtained his Bachelor’s degree at the University of the North. He afterward proceeded to the University of the Western Cape, where he earned a BProc degree. Later, in 2004, Tabane completed his postgraduate studies at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, acquiring a Master’s degree in Political Studies.
He further achieved a PhD in Media Studies at the University of Witwatersrand in July 2020. Amazingly, on May 5th, 2022, he was appointed an adjunct professor at the University of South Africa’s (UNISA) Graduate School of Business Leadership. For his high school education, JJ Tabane attended Tsogo High School.
List of JJ Tabane’s Qualifications
- BA Degree – University of the North
- BProc Degree – University of the Western Cape
- Master’s Degree – Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (2004)
- PhD – University of Witwatersrand (2020)
What Does JJ Tabane Do for a Living?
JJ Tabane is a communications expert, political commentator, businessman, author, and media personality. Since the early 2000s, he has been active in the media industry, executing different roles. In recent years, he has been appointed to executive roles in several organizations and has worked as a director, board member, and board chairman. Tabane is currently known as the host of Power to Truth on eNCA.
Communications Expert
In February 2004, JJ Tabane was appointed the Vice President and General Manager of Communications at South African Airways. He carried out many roles before leaving in December 2006, and they included:
- The premiere of the SAA TV broadcast in collaboration with the SABC’s Morning Live Show
- Establishment of the SAA VIP Customer Care Unit
- The launching of My SAA Television, My SAA Magazine, My SAA Radio, and My SAA Daily News
- Organizing the biggest training program for the SAA’s customer care personnel
From 2008 to 2010, Tabane also served as the spokesperson for the Congress of the People. He was additionally associated with the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism as the spokesperson. He also was the director of corporate affairs for Altron Incorporated.
Furthermore, JJ Tabane was the Communications Advisor of SA’s Chamber of Mines and the Head of Communication for the World Summit on Sustainable Development.
TV and Radio Presenter
On SABC3, JJ Tabane hosted a Sunday show titled Frankly Speaking. During such time, he was the host of a radio talk show, Power Perspective, on Power 98.7 FM. Unfortunately, his SABC3 Sunday program was canceled in September 2018. In the same month, he was fired from Power 98.7 FM for breach of contract.
It happened that he apologized to Phumla Williams for any wrongdoing on the radio platform after her testimony at the Zondo Commission, which is against the policy of the radio station. Subsequently, he joined Newzroom Africa in May 2019 and hosted a talk show titled Your View. He, however, was suspended from the station after he asserted on his show that the people of Limpopo had higher grades in terms of witchcraft.
He eventually left Newzroom Afrika in October 2020 to join eNCA, where he hosts a current affairs show titled Power to Truth With JJ Tabane twice weekly.
Business Owner/ Business Executive
JJ Tabane is reportedly the owner and chief executive of media communications company Sgwili Media Group. Also, he established Oresego Holdings in April 2010. In the past years, he has held executive positions in several organizations. In July 2022, he was appointed the Chairperson of Agilitee – one of the largest electric vehicle manufacturers in Africa.
He is a significant shareholder in the company and ranks as Agilitee’s top five largest shareholders. He was the company’s advisor for two years before getting appointed as the global chairperson of the board of directors. Previously, Tabane has served as the Board Chairperson of the Indalo Yethu Environmental Campaign. He was a shareholder and director of Pholosang BEE Resolution Services.
Also, he was the chief executive officer of Graphicor and Simeka TWS. He further served on the board of Johannesburg Tourism Authority and Gauteng Tourism Authority. Tabane is a member of the North West University Council.
Author
In the year 2015, JJ Tabane published a book entitled “Let’s Talk Frankly: Letters to Influential South Africans About the State of Our Nation.” The 59-year old has additionally penned his political views in columns for many media outlets, including The Star, the Daily Maverick, the Business Day, and Sunday Times. He works as an editor for Leadership Magazine and Black Business Quarterly Magazine.
Who Is JJ Tabane’s Wife?
JJ Tabane’s wife is Nonhlanhla Tabane. He has been married to Nonhlanhla for over ten years, though it’s unknown when they actually tied the knot. His better half, however, is a private person and keeps away from the limelight. In July 2020, when Tabane bagged his Ph.D., he said a vote of thanks to his wife and parents for their support in his 5-year journey.
Tabane and Nonhlanhla are reportedly parents of two children. Their son’s name is Resego Tabane, whereas their daughter is Oreabetse Tabane. His company, Oresego Holdings, is said to have been named after his kids.
What Happened to JJ Tabane?
In May 2023, the academic staff of UNISA’s Graduate School of Business Leadership filed a complaint against JJ Tabane’s professorship at the business school. Based on the complaint, the media personality was allegedly awarded a professorship prematurely and was performing duties independent contractors were not authorized to do.
Hence, the group of employees wrote to the vice chancellor and demanded an investigation into Tabane’s appointment as an adjunct professor at the school. Also, UNISA’s senate was asked to investigate how JJ Tabane became an adjunct professor and should eradicate the awarding of questionable professorship to its academic staff.
The TV broadcaster was appointed an adjunct professor (independent contractor) responsible for communications and marketing at UNISA’s business school in May 2022.
