On Sunday Basetsana Kumalo celebrated her birthday. The Soweto-born star, who couldn't throw a huge party due to the coronavirus pandemic, had a party at her home where she sang for herself.
For her 46th birthday, Kumalo had a beautiful cake with rose petals that was made by Blaquepetals.
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A post shared by Basetsana Kumalo(@basetsanakumalo) on Mar 29, 2020 at 2:26pm PDT
To celebrate this living icon, we take a look at her remarkable moments.
Crowned Miss Africa
In 1994 when she was just 16 years, Kumalo was crowned as Miss South Africa. Previously in 1990, she had been crowned Miss Soweto. Kumalo's Miss SA crowing is memorable as it coincided with the first democratic elections.
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A post shared by Basetsana Kumalo(@basetsanakumalo) on Jun 18, 2019 at 2:44am PDT
Media mogul
She is the owner of Tswelopele Productions, a company she co-founded with Patience Stevens. Kumalo and Stevens became business partners after they worked together on Top Billing, where Kumalo was a presenter and Stevens the producer.
In 1999 Tswelopele Productions merged with Union Alliance Media (UIM) and listed on the Johannesburg Securities Exchange (JSE). This made Kumalo one of the youngest black women directors in the country’s entertainment industry. Tswelopele produces shows like Our Perfect Wedding.
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Don't miss Our Perfect Wedding tonight at 7pm on @mzansimagic on channel 161. #OPW
A post shared by Basetsana Kumalo(@basetsanakumalo) on Oct 20, 2019 at 8:43am PDT
She is an author
In October last year, Kumalo published her first book titled 'Bassie: my Journey of Hope'. In the book, Kumalo talks about her life journey, including her relationships with mentors like Nelson Mandela. She also shares the secrets of her success and all the lessons she’s learnt along the way.
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A post shared by Basetsana Kumalo(@basetsanakumalo) on Dec 5, 2019 at 10:01am PST
Fashionista of note
She is the girl that she thinks she is because boy, she can definitely dress and knows how to show up for the occasion. Of recent, she attended Somizi's white wedding where she pulled out all the guns and wore her Miss SA crown, what a moment it was.
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A post shared by Basetsana Kumalo(@basetsanakumalo) on Feb 6, 2020 at 12:32am PST