A South African actress, author, speaker, philanthropist and image specialist, Petra Melisa Mendes Laranjo-Hourquebie, was born on August 13, 1977, in Oshakati, Namibia. Only child to Fatima Mendes and José Luis Laranjo, she nurtured her creativity and ability to enjoy her own company whilst moving from small town to small town.

After having won a design bursary at the continent’s most illustrious design college, she eventually settled in Africa’s City of Gold, Johannesburg, in 1998. After the loss of her mother to cancer in 2001, Petra left the fashion industry and established herself as model agent and casting director. Gaining confidence in front of the camera, she landed a host of local television series, movies and international television commercials.

This is the path that eventually led her to her actor husband, Craig (Hawks) Hourquebie. They share their lives with their fur-children, Mary-Jane and Tamlyn, both rescued from animal shelters.

On a corporate platform, Petra has impacted numerous blue-chip companies by elevating the image of their employees to align with the organization’s brand. At the core of her work as an Image Specialist and speaker, Petra aims to adjust self-image so that the necessary psychological and emotional changes occur.
Petra’s philanthropic work drives her passion. Her purpose is to inspire people to live their lives fully through confidence and purpose so they too can impact their world.