Leading South African-born media personality and style icon, Bonang Matheba – or Queen B, as she is affectionately known – returns to the Miss South Africa pageant stage this Sunday as its official host and sponsor.
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Matheba has had a long association with Miss South Africa over the past decade. She first served as a member of the judging panel in 2014; in 2018, she hosted the pageant for its 60th anniversary; and again in 2019, when Zozibini took the title and was later crowned Miss Universe.
This year, the renowned media personality has played an even bigger role, having been on the journey with the finalists as a judge on the Miss South Africa television series Crown Chasers, which was broadcast for five weeks on SABC 3.
Teasing what pageant lovers can look forward to during the finale, Matheba said ‘It is going to be fantastic – the production is wonderful with some international names and is a true celebration of Women’s Month. Expect beautiful dresses – I am going to put on a show and bring all the sparkle and the magic that I can.’
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Matheba says she is delighted to be hosting the show once again and stated the following:
‘The Miss South Africa pageant is one of the biggest television productions in the country, so I am very excited to be hosting the show for a third time this year. It is an institution in this country. I remember gathering around the TV when I was growing up and watching flawless African women like Basetsana Kumalo and Peggy Sue Khumalo being crowned Miss South Africa.’
‘From a young girl cheering on her favourites in front of a TV to becoming a judge, the pageant host and now even one of the official sponsors of this event is an absolute honour. I love that I can showcase my talent, even more, this year and be an intricate part of the show in its entirety.’
‘The fact that it is airing on the SABC this year means that it is accessible to all South Africans, and that’s very special to me. I started my career on SABC years ago, so this is really iconic to be hosting one of the biggest tv productions in the country, on the nation’s biggest broadcaster, giving everyone access to watch and experience it.’
Bonang Matheba, who owns the luxury beverage brand House of BNG – the official Miss SA celebration sponsor, was the first black woman to become a member of the Cap Classique Producers Association. Of course, the lucky woman who is crowned Miss South Africa 2023 at the glittering pageant on Sunday will be celebrated with the raising of a glass of bubbly from the House of BNG.
Miss South Africa 2023 will be crowned at the SunBet Arena at Time Square in Pretoria on Sunday, 13 August.
The top seven finalists in the running for the Miss South Africa crown are Anke Rothmann, Bryoni Govender, Homba Mazaleni, Jordan van der Vyver, Melissa Nayimuli, Nande Mabala and Natasha Joubert.
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Miss South Africa is presented by Well Entertainment in association with Sun International.
SABC 3 is the official broadcast partner – catch all the crowning action there on Sunday.
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Picture: Bonang Matheba / Facebook