Basetsana Kumalo facts for kids

Basetsana Julia "Bassie" Khumalo (born 29 March 1974) is a famous South African television personality, businesswoman, and philanthropist. She also won a major beauty pageant title. Her journey started in 1990 when she was crowned Miss Soweto and Miss Black South Africa at just 16 years old. In 1994, she became Miss South Africa and was also the first runner-up in the Miss World competition that same year.

Early Life and Education

Basetsana Kumalo was born in Soweto, South Africa. She grew up with two sisters and a brother. When she was young, she helped her family by making sandwiches to sell at soccer matches every weekend.

She went to Thabisang Primary School in Orlando West. Later, she attended Trinity Secondary School, where she finished her high school studies. She then enrolled at the University of Venda to study Education.

Personal Life and Family

Basetsana Kumalo met her husband, Romeo Kumalo, when she was crowned Miss Soweto. Romeo was a broadcaster and worked for Vodacom. They started dating in 1997 and got married in 2000.

In 2004, Basetsana and Romeo had their first child, a boy named Nkosinathi Gabriel. Their second son, uShaka Kgositsile Emmanuel, was born in 2012.

Helping Others

Basetsana and Romeo started the Romeo & Basetsana Kumalo Family Foundation. This foundation helps children, especially those who have lost their parents due to illnesses. In 2009, their foundation received an award for its charity work.

Basetsana also worked with actress Salma Hayek to help stop a serious disease affecting babies and mothers worldwide. She was a spokesperson for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and Pamper's campaign.

Career Highlights

Pageant Success

In 1990 and 1991, Basetsana Kumalo won the Miss Soweto title at age 16. She had planned to become a teacher, like her mother. However, her mother entered her into the Miss South Africa pageant, which Basetsana went on to win.

Television Work

While she was Miss South Africa, Basetsana started hosting the TV show Top Billing. She then partnered with the show's producer, Patience Stevens, to create Tswelopele Productions. Basetsana owned half of this company.

In 1999, Tswelopele Productions joined with another company and became publicly traded on the JSE Securities Exchange. This made Basetsana one of the youngest black women directors in South Africa's main economy. Top Billing became very successful, leading to other shows like Pasella on SABC2 and Seskohona on SABC1.

In 2001, Basetsana also became a director at Gauteng Travel Academy. In 2016, she was a guest judge for the final Miss South Africa 2016 beauty pageant. This event was shown on TV networks M-Net and Mzansi Magic.

Television Production

Basetsana Kumalo is the Executive Chairperson of Tswelopele Productions. Through her company, she has produced many popular TV shows. These include Top Billing, Pasella, Date My Family, Our Perfect Wedding, Diski Divas, Becoming, Pastor wants a wife, Expresso, Afternoon Express, Saving our Marriage, Please Step In, and Utatakho.

Business Ventures

Basetsana Kumalo was the President of the Business Women's Association of South Africa. In 2008, she became a shareholder in a company called Tawana. She also serves on the boards of several other companies, including Unipalm Investment Holdings and Vhangana Energy Resources.

She is a spokesperson for the Pampers UNICEF Tetanus campaign. She is also part of the UNICEF Influential Women Circle, a group of powerful businesswomen who raise money to help children in South Africa. She is also the Chairman of the Kuhluka Movement.

Charity Work

In 2007, former first lady Graça Machel asked Basetsana to be one of five volunteers to publicly support health awareness. Basetsana has also raised money for Baragwanath Children's Hospital with Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe. She also volunteered with Agang Sechaba, a project that helps communities in townships.

The Bassie Brand

In 2000, Basetsana Kumalo launched her own clothing line called Stature Ladies wear by Bassie. This clothing was sold in Ackerman’s department stores across Africa.

In 2002, she launched an eyewear range under the Bassie brand. After that, she released the Bassie Red cosmetics range in Foschini stores. In 2006, she launched the Bassie Gold range.

Publishing Work

In 2004, Basetsana Kumalo contributed to a book called Inspirational Women at Work. She also appeared in Recipes from the Heart with other South African celebrities.

She is the editor-at-large for Top Billing magazine. She was also the Beauty Editor for DRUM magazine. In 2020, she published her own book, Bassie: My Journey of Hope, which has sold over 15,000 copies.

Radio Experience

Basetsana Kumalo also worked in radio. On 10 August 2006, she hosted the Breakfast show on Metro FM.

Endorsements

Basetsana's fame grew when she became the face of Revlon Realistic Hair Care for Africa and other countries. She was a spokesperson for Revlon for over five years. She also briefly endorsed the BriteSmile dental procedure.

Awards and Recognition

• In 1994, Nelson Mandela gave her an honorary scholarship for Overseas Studies.
• In 2002 and 2003, Sunday Times and Elle Magazine voted her the most stylish female TV host.
• In 2004, she was voted 74th on the list of 100 Greatest South Africans. She was the only Miss South Africa on this list.
• In 2006, she received the Fashion Icon Award at the Cape Town Fashion Festival. Femina Magazine also named her one of the top 10 most glamorous women in South Africa.
• She has also received the Annual Rapport/City Press Prestige Awards.
• In 2011, the World Economic Forum honored her as a Young Global Leader.
• In 2019, she received the most stylish icon award at the South African Style Awards.
• In October 2021, Tastic rice honored her with an Iconic Award for being a very influential woman in media in Cape Town.