Basetsana Kumalo

 

Basetsana Kumalo (née Makgalemele; born 29 March 1974), often referred to simply as Bassie, is a South African television personality, beauty pageant titleholder, businesswoman, and philanthropist. Her career began in 1990 when she was crowned as "Miss Soweto" and "Miss Black South Africa" at the age of 16. She was crowned Miss South Africa in 1994 and the same year became the first runner-up in Miss World.

Kumalo was born in Soweto, South Africa. Her bus driver father, Philip Makgamele, died in 2003 and her school teacher mother, Beatrice Makgalemele, died in 2006. She went to Thabisang Primary School. When the Soweto schools became unstable in 1986, Kumalo was sent to school in Lenasia.

She and her two sisters and brother spent their early years helping to keep the family afloat, making sandwiches to sell at soccer matches every weekend.

No better MC! Very intelligent, 74th on the list of Top 100 Great South Africans in 2004, has her own clothing range, has a television career, nominated by Femina Magazine as one of the Top 10 most glamorous women in South Africa, has a marvellous stage presence, interviewed Nelson Mandela, Michael Jackson, Gloria Estefan, Elizabeth Hurley AND won Miss South Africa - what more could you be looking for?

Basetsana was born on the 29th of March 1974 in Soweto. She started her school years at Thabisang Primary School and completed her education at Trinity Secondary School.

Her life in the limelight began in 1990 when she was crowned as Miss Soweto and Miss Black South Africa at the tender age of 16.

 

National and International recognition followed when she was crowned Miss South Africa in 1994 and in the same year also became the first runner up in the Miss World Pageant.

During her reign as Miss South Africa, she gained the respect of the nation, having spent time and energy on important issues such as community upliftment projects and fund raising for several charity organisations.

She received special awards from Operation Hunger, the Cancer Association of South Africa and the Reconstruction and Development Programme, where she played a key role.

She also received an honorary scholarship from the then-President of South Africa – Mr Nelson Mandela – to pursue her studies overseas.

During her reign as Miss South Africa, Top Billing approached her to become one of their presenters. Her exposure was further enhanced when she was chosen to be the face of Revlon Realistic Hair Care range for both Sub-Saharan Africa and the International market.

 

She was Revlon's Spokesperson for over five years. During the same time she was appointed Beauty Editor for Drum Magazine.

Together with her partner, Patience Stevens, Bassie started Tswelopele Productions, a television production company which produces Top Billing and Pasella.

Basetsana strongly believes in making a difference and giving back to the community. Her social responsibilities include committing time to do Hospice Events, whether it is to raise funds or host their events at no cost. She has been involved with the Cancer Shavathon and has been involved with the Cancer Association for the last 5 years.

In 2003, Bassie asked Ackermans to give away clothes worth R1 million to 50 children's homes and NGO's across the country.

In the same year, she started a project with a doctor who works in the children's ward at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital to mobilise corporate South Africa to help donate funds and even supplies to assist in the upgrading of the facilities, including the purchasing of incubators and other equipment in the pediatric ward.

In the same year, she started a project with a doctor who works in the children's ward at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital to mobilise corporate South Africa to help donate funds and even supplies to assist in the upgrading of the facilities, including the purchasing of incubators and other equipment in the pediatric ward.

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