 Forsyth attended Rhodes University from 1982 to 1985, where she majored in Journalism and Politics and earned an African Studies Honors degree.In 1985 Forsyth registered for a master's degree in Journalism but did not complete it.From May to November 1981, Forsyth worked at the Department of Foreign Affairs (now the Department of International Relations and Cooperation) in Pretoria, as a foreign service officer.