Bonang Matheba is a South African television presenter, radio personality, businesswoman, producer, model, and philanthropist. She was named one of Forbes Africa’s 50 Most Powerful Women in 2020. This is a first-of-its-kind Pan-African unranked compilation of the continent’s leading women, drawn from business, politics, media, science, sports, and public life.
Matheba was born June 25, 1987, in Mahikeng, North West in South Africa, to Charlotte Mokoena, the Executive Vice-President for Human Resource and Corporate Affairs of Sasol, and Gampi Matheba, a senior lecturer at North-West University. Matheba made her television debut on the SABC 2 kids show, Manhattan Fantasy Challenge, when she was 15. In 2007, Matheba began hosting the SABC 1 music show LIVE, now Live Amp, after leaving varsity with DJ Tbo Touch. Her presenting duties were a huge success, and that’s where her sobriquet “Queen B” was created. After she departed from LIVE, she hosted several other shows, including Clash of the Choirs SA, Afternoon Express, and Top Billing on SABC 3.
Matheba has hosted numerous award shows and prominent events such as MTV’s Africa Music Awards 2016, Miss South Africa 2018, the pre-show for the 2014 MTV Europe Music Awards, and BET Awards 2016. In 2017, she decided to make her own reality TV show, Being Bonang, which focused on Matheba’s daily life. In 2018, Matheba, alongside online retailer Superbalist, dropped a collection of T-shirts named “BONANG by Bonang Matheba”, printed with popular quotes from her reality TV show. In 2014, Matheba worked with retail brand Woolworths to start a lingerie line called “Bonang for Distraction”.
Matheba became the first international ambassador for cosmetic brand Revlon in South Africa. In March 2019, Matheba launched her very own luxury beverage brand, the HOUSE OF BNG, with the introduction of a range of MCCs. She has since expanded the brand’s range with a Prestige Reserve release, and with nectar rose and blanc that are packaged beautifully in cans.
She was awarded Africa Influencer of the Year at the first-ever E! Entertainment People’s Choice Awards in 2019, and won the coveted Award for Best Inspiration & Influence at the prestigious Global Social Awards held in Prague, Czech Republic. Among her busy life as an MC, presenter, and businesswoman, she is also a philanthropist. Matheba is a prominent ambassador for Global Citizen and also heads the Bonang Matheba Bursary Fund, which aims to put 300 girls through tertiary education by 2025.
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Bonang’s social media handles
Twitter: @bonang_m
Instagram: @bonang_m
Boitumelo Masihleho is a South African digital content creator. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Rhodes University in Journalism and Media Studies and Politics and International Studies.
She’s an experienced multimedia journalist who is committed to writing balanced, informative and interesting stories on a number of topics. Boitumelo has her own YouTube channel where she shares her love for affordable beauty and lifestyle content.
