Sherwin Bryce-Pease is a prominent South African journalist and international correspondent, best known for his work with the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) and his role covering the United States and the United Nations (UN) from New York. Over the years, Bryce-Pease has built a respected career that spans radio, television, and global political reporting marked by high-profile interviews, influential positions, and awards. In this article, we explore his life, education, career journey, achievements, and the significance of his work in global journalism.
Biography
Early Life and Background
Sherwin Bryce-Pease was born in East London, in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Growing up in East London, he attended local schools; in one interview, he mentioned that his mother was a teacher at his primary school. For high school, he went to a boys’ school called Selborne College an environment that was distinctly challenging, both socially and culturally, especially during a transitional period in South Africa’s history.
Education
After high school, Sherwin embarked on higher education at Rhodes University, where he studied at the School of Journalism and Media Studies. He graduated in 2000 with a degree in Journalism. During his time at Rhodes, he was active in campus media including in radio, which laid important groundwork for his future career.
Personal Details
Details about Bryce-Pease’s personal and family life beyond his upbringing are not widely publicized. His mother was a teacher, but beyond that, there is limited publicly available information about his immediate family, siblings, or marital status.
As of now, there is no confirmed public record for his exact date of birth, so his precise age cannot be verified. Many biographical sources mention his career milestones and graduation year, but none cite a birthdate.
Career Overview
Early Career: From Rhodes University to Communications
Shortly after graduation, Sherwin began working at Rhodes University within its Development and Alumni Relations Department. In that capacity, he planned fundraising visits, including liaising with institutions in the United States.
From there, he moved to an internship in marketing and communications in the U.S., serving as an International Communications Liaison for Rhodes University in collaboration with a global marketing agency. This role took him to offices in New York and Palo Alto, California.
Transition into Journalism: SABC, Radio and Television
By 2002, Sherwin had returned to South Africa and joined SABC, beginning a dynamic career in news media. His early roles included work with SABC’s online Newsbreak division, followed by radio as a bulletin writer and news presenter on SAfm (SABC’s national English-language radio).
In 2005, he was appointed Insert Producer and Co-Anchor of SABC News’s weekend breakfast show Weekend Live. At the same time, he served as a stand-in presenter on Morning Live on SABC 2, one of the country’s flagship morning television programmes.
International Correspondent: New York and the United Nations
A major turning point came in August 2008, when Sherwin Bryce-Pease was appointed as SABC’s U.S. Correspondent and later became Bureau Chief at the UN headquarters in New York. From this vantage point, he began covering critical global stories, including U.S. politics, UN developments, international diplomacy, the U.N. Security Council, and major global events.
Over the years, his reporting has included a wide range of influential interviews. Among people he has interviewed: former U.S. President Barack Obama, former South African Presidents Thabo Mbeki, Kgalema Motlanthe and Jacob Zuma, UN Secretary-Generals like Ban Ki-Moon, world leaders such as former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, as well as Nobel laureates and other prominent public figures.
He has also covered major events like U.S. presidential elections, high-stakes UN meetings, and global geopolitics cementing his reputation as a versatile and respected international correspondent.
Professional Leadership & Advocacy
Beyond reporting, Sherwin has taken on leadership and advocacy roles. Notably, in 2017, he was elected president of the UN Correspondents Association (UNCA), becoming the first African to hold the position.
Under his presidency, he represented the international press corps at the UN, liaised between journalists and UN institutions, and moderated major events.
Moreover, he is a signatory to the UN Women “Step It Up for Gender Equality” campaign advocating for greater representation of women in newsrooms worldwide.
Also, he serves as a trustee for the USA Rhodes University Trust, helping channel funding and bursaries to underprivileged students seeking education at Rhodes University.
Recent Recognition
In 2025, Sherwin Bryce-Pease (alongside his cameraman) was awarded the Ricardo Ortega Memorial Prize (gold) by UN Correspondents Association for an interview with the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs ahead of the UN General Assembly, a testament to his enduring relevance and excellence in journalism.
Controversies and Criticisms
In publicly available sources, there is no significant record of major controversies or scandals involving Sherwin Bryce-Pease. He is widely regarded as a reputable, ethical journalist.
His public persona is largely defined by professionalism, advocacy for gender equality in media, and commitment to journalistic integrity.
Net Worth and Financial Overview
There are no credible public disclosures of Sherwin Bryce-Pease’s net worth. As a journalist employed by a public broadcaster and holding correspondent and bureau-chief roles, his income likely comes from salary, possibly supplemented by freelance or special assignments.
Instead, what is visible is his philanthropic and charitable involvement: as trustee of the USA Rhodes University Trust, he has personally donated to bursary funds to help underprivileged students access tertiary education. This suggests a commitment to using his resources to give back, even if his wealth is not publicized.
Legacy and Significance
Sherwin Bryce-Pease’s legacy lies in several areas:
- Bridging South African journalism with global coverage: As a South African journalist based in New York and reporting for SABC, he has helped bring global news to South African audiences with depth and clarity.
- Advancing international reporting standards: Through his leadership role at the UN Correspondents Association, he played a role in advocating for press freedom, professionalism, and better representation in newsrooms.
- Mentorship and philanthropy: Through his work with Rhodes University’s trust fund and support of bursaries, he supports future generations of African journalists and students.
- Representation and inspiration: Being the first African to lead the UNCA, and maintaining a high-profile, respected role in international media, he serves as a role model for aspiring journalists especially from Africa who wish to work on the global stage.
His work has contributed to global understanding of political, humanitarian, and social issues, and his status affirms that African journalists can hold their own in international media.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is Sherwin Bryce-Pease?
He is a South African journalist and international correspondent, serving as Bureau Chief and Correspondent for SABC at the UN headquarters in New York.
Where was Sherwin Bryce-Pease educated?
He studied at Rhodes University in South Africa, graduating in 2000 with a degree in Journalism.
What notable work has he done?
He has interviewed world leaders, including U.S. President Barack Obama, several South African presidents, UN Secretaries-General, Nobel laureates and covered major global events, U.S. elections, and UN affairs.
Has he held any leadership positions in journalism organisations?
Yes from 2017 to 2018, he was president of the UN Correspondents Association, becoming the first African to hold that role.
Does Sherwin Bryce-Pease have any awards or recognitions?
Yes, among others, he received the Emerging Old Rhodian Award from Rhodes University (2016) and the Ricardo Ortega Memorial Prize (gold, 2025) from the UN Correspondents Association.
What is known about his personal life and background?
He grew up in East London (Eastern Cape, South Africa), attended Selborne College for high school, and his mother was a teacher. Publicly available sources do not provide detailed information about his date of birth or broader family.
What is Sherwin Bryce-Pease’s net worth?
There is no credible public record of his net worth; no verified estimates exist in media or financial disclosures.
Conclusion
Sherwin Bryce-Pease stands out as a distinguished journalist whose career reflects excellence, dedication, and global impact. From humble beginnings in East London to representing South African media on the world stage, his journey underscores the power of education, hard work, and integrity.
Disclaimer: This biography is compiled from publicly available information and is meant solely for informational purposes. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, certain details may vary or be open to interpretation.
