Award-winning journalist Debora Patta is no stranger to the frontlines of war zones, humanitarian crises, and the ongoing fight for equity in journalism. As she settles into her new role as Senior Foreign Correspondent at CBS News, she reflects on her career, the cost of courage, and what it truly means to balance purpose with motherhood, passion, and resilience.
Known for her no-holds-barred approach, Debora Patta doesn’t just report the news; she bears witness to the world’s most defining moments. From conflict zones in Ukraine and Gaza to famine-stricken communities in South Sudan, the South African-born journalist has built a career on telling the stories that matter. Now promoted to Senior Foreign Correspondent at CBS News, she shares what this milestone means after decades of breaking barriers, particularly as a woman blazing trails in a male-dominated field.
As Women’s Month approaches, she speaks candidly about the mental and emotional toll of frontline reporting, the invisible load women carry, and the lessons she's passing on to the next generation, including her daughters. Offering not just inspiration, but a rallying cry: do the work, face the fear, and never let go of your dream.
Glamour: You've recently been promoted to Senior Foreign Correspondent at CBS News, an incredible achievement!. Reflecting on your journey, what does this recognition represent for you, both personally and professionally?
Deborah Patta: It's certainly great to receive this recognition, and it doesn’t come easily in the very competitive landscape that is the U.S and international media. Prior to working at CBS, I was the Executive Producer and lead correspondent for a South African investigative television programme called Third Degree - and it was tough going from being at the top of your game to effectively starting at the bottom again. However, this is something I have always wanted to do, and so it’s a proud moment to have achieved it. Being a senior correspondent doesn't mean less work; if anything, it means more, and that's the incredible thing about journalism - there is always so much more to learn, so many new stories to cover, and so many overlooked parts of the world that demand and need our attention.
Glamour: From war zones in Ukraine and Gaza to humanitarian crises across Africa, your reporting has taken you to some of the world’s most intense environments. What draws you to these kinds of stories, and how do you prepare yourself mentally and emotionally to enter those spaces?
DP: I grew up in South Africa - a country that has seen terrible pain, suffering, and violence, but it is also a country that overcame a brutal apartheid system. Local and international media were instrumental in documenting and bearing witness to the atrocities of apartheid so that nobody could say they didn’t know -- and importantly, once people knew, they could make an informed decision about how to respond. I think that is part of the reason I am drawn to these stories because I believe that our work as journalists can make a difference. Our job is to shine a light on injustice, to get behind the official facade, to give voice to those who have been silenced and speak truth to power. When I cover war or humanitarian crises, I am not really interested in military might and weapons; I am driven by a desire to tell stories about people, about how they survive in the worst possible situations, and keep hope alive. These are the real heroes and heroines who inspire us. Before I travel on assignment, I do a lot of research about the potential dangers and risks of the environment I will be going to.
Safety is the number one priority at CBS, and we have a world-class team of high-risk security advisors who help us navigate potential hazards. As a team, we always discuss any concerns or fears and make a decision as a team. I also embrace fear – often the fear of going into a dangerous area is far worse than actually being there. But fear is important, and I always listen to that inner voice to figure out if the fears are rational or not. It is natural to feel scared in dangerous situations, frankly, I worry if people don't – but you learn over time how to breathe and look fear in the face and take one step forward…slowly and carefully.
Glamour: With Women’s Month approaching, how do you define strength in womanhood today — particularly in spaces that weren’t built with women in mind?
DP: This is an important issue, but honestly, I really look forward to the day when women no longer have to prove themselves capable of being strong women…that it will just be accepted as fact that women can be as strong as men. I define strength in men and women the same way…in the words of South Africa’s former President Nelson Mandela, “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear but the triumph over it.” Essentially, bravery is not that you are never scared, it’s about having conquered fear.
Glamour: You’ve built a powerful career while raising two daughters, often from the frontlines. How have you managed that balance, and what kind of example do you hope you’ve set for them?
DP: The mental load always rests on the mother – regardless of whether or not you are in a war zone. We are the ones that remember the appointments, the big and small moments, who have to be where at what time, which daughter likes tomatoes, which daughter hates coriander…what makes their hearts break and what makes them soar. And somehow we just do it effortlessly, but make no mistake, it is exhausting….as you always have two narratives going on in your head…thinking about whatever current story you are working on and thinking about your family.
Somehow, despite my flaws, I have two amazing daughters, Chiara and Ella, who are growing into remarkable women. The greatest gift I hope I have given them is self-confidence, values of integrity, justice, and compassion - coupled with a great sense of humour and a curiosity and zest for life. I know they are proud of me because they tell me they are, and even though I have often been away during important moments in my children’s lives, I always try to be available for them, even if it’s only at the end of a cellphone. My daughters know that I will always answer their call or send a message if I can’t. And when we do spend time together…it’s joyful, filled with deep conversations, loads of fantastic food (I love cooking and am pretty good at it), and lots of laughter. They keep me grounded for sure.
Glamour: Were there times when the personal and professional demands felt too heavy? What helped you navigate those moments and stay the course?
DP: I love my job, so I don’t think the personal and professional have ever felt too heavy, but there have been some difficult times. Whether at home or travelling on assignment, I always make sure I have a pair of running shoes, a yoga mat, and a coffee machine. Every day should begin with a good cup of coffee, and for me, preferably a run and yoga. But it's my partner Andrew who has allowed me to do this job. He always believes in me, encourages me, and does the lion’s share of work at home when I am away….everyone should be so lucky to have an Andrew in their lives…I don’t think I could do this job without him.
Glamour: You've covered major global crises — from the Ebola outbreak to the famine in South Sudan and the Boko Haram kidnappings. Which stories have left a lasting impact on you, and why?
DP: Whenever I am working on a story, I tend to immerse myself in it, to try and understand what’s at play and to listen to people talking about what it is like to live the horrors they are facing. But then we always get to leave while the people who trust us with their stories have to stay, and I find that difficult. For me, the hardest stories are always ones that involve the suffering of children. It’s particularly painful to cover famine, and many of the hunger crises I have reported on have been human-made, where starvation has been used as a weapon of war. To see a young child die of starvation is something that never leaves you and is hard to comprehend in a world of plenty. But there is one thing I know - there are far more people holding out a hand of friendship than a gun…and I have been privileged to meet some of the very best of humanity who inspire and motivate me every day to do this work.
Glamour: As a South African reporting for one of the biggest American news networks, what has your journey taught you about identity, credibility, and the power of global storytelling?
DP: Good journalism is the same everywhere – it’s about trying to get to the most honest version of the truth, and you do that by listening to different sources and views; asking questions over and over again; knocking on doors; not taking no for an answer, and making sure what you report is fair and accurate. I think the gift of having grown up in South Africa is that it has provided me with perspective and insight – the kind you can only get from living in the global south. This is a country that is not afraid to have hard conversations about race and class, and that, in turn, has given depth to my reporting. So often, stories and views from the global south are regarded as less than, insignificant, or irrelevant. And I firmly believe it is important not to reduce people to stereotypes, not to flatten their experiences, but rather to take viewers to places they may never get to visit in their lifetime and help them really see the people whose stories you have been given the privilege of telling. I haven’t changed who I am, working for a US network, but I am lucky to work with outstanding, talented colleagues who have made me a better journalist. And at the end of the day, good journalism and powerful storytelling matter…wherever you live. As journalists, we record the first draft of history, we are a country’s memory and sometimes its conscience … and we have to get it right, and that usually requires a little dose of courage as well.
Glamour: You've broken ground in a profession where women, particularly from the Global South, are still fighting for equal recognition. What changes have you seen in journalism for women, and what still needs to shift?
DP: While women are increasingly reporting as much as men from war zones, they are still not properly represented when it comes to top decision-making jobs. And this is even more unequal when it comes to women from the global south, particularly women of color. Diverse voices across all arenas are needed more than ever before as the world navigates uncertainty, chaos, division, and conflict.
Glamour: For young women with big dreams, whether in journalism, storytelling, or impact work — what’s your message to them as they step into a world still finding its balance?
DP: Don’t take shortcuts, don’t even look for them. A good journalist never stops working hard – honestly, I think I work even harder than when I first started my career. Seek out good mentors and role models. Don’t be afraid to ask hard questions and knock on doors, and if nobody answers – go back and knock again, even harder. And never let anyone or anything tell you your dreams are impossible - again, to quote Mandela, "A winner is a dreamer who never gives up."
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