salifemag
- Jan 15, 2019
- 4 min read

5 Minutes with Tracey Lange.

She has a boisterous laugh, she enjoys a good GnT and she is too busy to take notice of petty criticism. We sat down with TV and Media personality, Tracey Lange and got to know her a little bit better..... have a read!

Describe yourself in 5 words? Bright, Bold, Bubbly, Boisterous Laugh!

What are you currently up to, career wise? Host of midmornings on Kfm 94.5 Host of BRAVO! the lifestyle show on kykNet Anchor and Producer for Tussen Ons on kykNet&kie There are a few other things in the pipeline for the new year, but I will announce them as they happen :-)

What was your childhood like? Very happy, with good holidays and a family that loved me. I've been very fortunate to have parents that raised us to not be scared and to go for what we want and not give up.

When did you first discover a love for the entertainment industry? By chance as I decided to help out at a community radio station in Somerset West.

Who are you when you’re simply at home, on a Sunday afternoon? I'll chill with a glass of bubbly or a G&T, with a good book and in my own space with nothing on: tv, no radio. Nothing. Either alone or with my Boyfriend. We have a beautiful apartment in the CBD and I love chilling on the deck that gives me a bird eyeview of everything.

Who do you admire within the South African entertainment industry, and why? Leandie du Randt-Bosch, Afrikaans actress. She is as down to earth as they come, yet incredibly successful.

How do you deal with negative criticism? I've realized that I don't have time to pay attention to it because I'm too busy. When you are able to brood, that means you're not busy enough. I have 4 jobs, all within the industry, I don't have the luxury to brood about anything or take the time to deal with what someone has said who doesn't pay my bills.

Who is your role model and why? My parents definitely. They didn't have it easy because of so many things, but didn't let it stop them for achieving their goals and creating a good life for themselves and for us as children.

Where’s the most interesting place you have travelled to and why? It must be Istanbul, the way I felt so safe in that country and how everyone goes out of their way to make you feel welcome and nothing is too much trouble ever.

What motto or words do you live by? Today must be better than yesterday and tomorrow better than today. It takes all the running you can do to stay in the same place. To get somewhere else, you need to run twice as fast as that -Alice Wonderland

We all know that the media doesn’t always get all their info correct, what is the strangest thing you have read about yourself that wasn’t true? I've been fortunate that journalists have been very respectful of me and will always speak to me before writing and printing anything. I've been very fortunate!

What is the most memorable tweet you have received, or been tagged in? A tweet that said: Jy is seker die gelukkigste persoon op TV!

Everybody starts their working careers off small, what was your very first job? On weekends during high school, as a Customer Service assistant at Woolworths. I learnt a lot about always giving my best and that 'no' isn't an option. You MUST make a plan!

The entertainment industry is a tough industry to break into. What encouraging words do you have for anyone starting out? To say yes to any opportunity, regardless of whether it pays or not and just figure it out as you go along.

In your line of work, you get to meet a wide variety of people. Who was your most memorable? Pieter Dirk-Uys was definitely a highlight of note. I felt incredibly comfortable with him and learnt a lot from him.

I am sure you have encountered a few fans along the way, what has been your favourite fan encounter?

Mostly when young girls come to me to tell me they look up to me and they are so grateful for helping them realize that there are many opportunities for them.

Did you always see yourself in the entertainment industry, or did you have different dreams as a child? Not at all! I was hoping on a more 'serious' office job and even wanted to be a teacher at one stage!

What has been your most challenging decision in your career thus far? When it's time to leave and jump to a new challenge and start a new chapter.

What made it so challenging? Sometimes it's easy to hold onto something that works really well and want to continue with something that you know well, but I've also always hated being scared of things. So when something new scares me, I feel like I need to give it a shot!

Everyone harbours a pet peeve. What is yours? Young people who walk slowly - I actually get road rage walking behind slow people!

Final Question. If you could choose any superhero to play on a big budget Hollywood production, who would you play? Definitely Wonder Woman, but that is purely because Gal Gadot!

FUN FACTS: Favourite chocolate? Ferrero Rocher

Favourite TV show? After all these years, still FRIENDS. I rewatch reruns as it just helps me switch off :-)

Current favourite show: You, Me, Her. Tussen Ons (because I host it!)

Favourite movie? Something Borrowed, SATC 1

Favourite Travel Item? My daily backpack, it's small enough not to be inconvenient, but big enough to fit an extra sweater, my camera, charger and powerbank.

Favourite Clothing Brand? Joseph Ribkoff found at Gabrielle Boutique in Sea Point, Cherie Couture

Favourite childhood memory? Our Lange family Christmas reunions, which happened and still happens every 3 years. We're a huge family and in 2018 we had over 70 people present and we all bought gifts for the great grandchildren.

Your Man Crush Monday? My Boyfriend, Avukile Mabombo (I also call it 'Mabombo Crush Monday')