Bonang Dorothy Matheba (born 25 June 1987),[2] is a South African television presenter, radio personality, actress and social media personality. She is known for her flamboyant presenting skills and her signature voice. She presented the SABC 1 music show LIVE (now Live Amp) which built her spotlight in the industry.[3]
Bonang Matheba | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 25 June 1987 Mahikeng,North West, South Africa |
| Other names |
|
| Education | Fourways High School |
| Alma mater | University of Johannesburg |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2002–present |
| Partner | AKA (2015–2017)[1] |
| Website | bonangmatheba |
In 2011, she became the first South African celebrity to launch an online reality show called B*Dazzled.[4] In 2013, she was the first international ambassador for the cosmetic brand Revlon, outside the US.[5]
In 2014, she hosted the 2014 MTV Europe Music Awards pre-show, which made her become the first South African to host the pre-ceremony.[6] In 2015, she became the first African to be given an E! News Special Africa on E!.[7] Matheba has over 5 million followers on Instagram and Twitter.
In 2016, she appeared on the cover of Forbes Woman Africa, alongside three other women who were all given a headline for being the Faces of Entrepreneurship.[8] She released her book From A to B and premiered her own reality show Being Bonang, both in 2017.[9][10] In 2018, she was featured on the power issue of GQ SA, for the September edition.[11] In 2024, She was the presenter for the 2024 Earthshot Prize Awards held in Cape Town, South Africa, a first for the awards in any African country.
Early life
editBonang was born on 25 June 1987 in Mahikeng borough of North West,[12] 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.[13] She is of the Bantu-speaking ethnic group Tswana.[14][15]
The family relocated to Leondale, in the East of Johannesburg, while Bonang attended Fourways High School, a government co-ed school in Fourways, Johannesburg.[16]
Career
editTelevision and film
editIn 2002, Matheba made her television debut on the SABC 2 kids show, Manhattan Fantasy Challenge while she was 15.[17] She also appeared in several other SABC 2 kids shows.[3] In 2007, Matheba auditioned for the inaugural season of the SABC 1 music show LIVE (now Live Amp) after leaving varsity.[18] She was later crowned the winner of the show to co-host alongside Tbo Touch. Her presenting duties were a huge success and that's where her sobriquet "Queen B" was created. Her final episode was aired on 31 August 2012 as she announced she was leaving the show.[19] After her departure from LIVE, she hosted several other shows including Clash of the Choirs SA, Afternoon Express, Top Billing and KFC Taste Kitchen.[20]
Matheba has hosted numerous award shows and prominent events the most notable being MTV Africa Music Awards 2016, Miss South Africa 2018, and the pre-shows for the 2014 MTV Europe Music Awards and BET Awards 2016.[21][22] On 2 December 2018, Matheba co-hosted the Global Citizen: Mandela 100 concert alongside comedian Trevor Noah, supermodel Naomi Campbell and other notable public figures.[23]
In 2008, Matheba made her debut drama role on the SABC 1 show, InterSEXions where she played Nurse Seipati.[24] As of 2019, Matheba starred and co-produced the documentary film Public Figure, which premiered on March, 9 at Manchester Film Festival.[25]
Matheba founded her production house called Bonang Matheba Entertainment in 2017. The production unit has one show, which is the 1Magic reality show, Being Bonang which focuses and showcases Matheba's daily life.[26]
In May 2022, she co-hosted Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards.[27]
In August 2023, Matheba was announced as the host of Miss South Africa pageant 2023.[28]
Towards the end of July 2024, Bonang announced her reality show B’Dazzled by Bonang, premiered on SABC 3 at 18:00 pm SAST, on July 29.[29]
In early September 2024, Matheba was announced as the host of Miss Universe pageant.[30]
Matheba alongside with Billy Porter will host Earthshot Prize Awards to be held in Cape Town on November 6, 2024.[31]
Radio
editIn 2009, Matheba received a call from radio station YFM in which she was told that she'll be added to the new line-up of presenters.[32] She received her own weekend afternoon show called, "The B* Hive", which was an instant success mainly focusing on young listeners. She then left the radio show in 2014.[33]
Matheba was announced as a new radio DJ for radio station Metro FM in 2015.[34] She replaced Siphokazi January who became the new Metro FM veteran.[35] Matheba's slot show The Front Row, had a great and joyful listenership until a dispute with the radio station's manager, after an on-air reshuffle that saw Bonang hosting the show alongside her rumored longtime industry rival Lerato Kganyago without her notification arose.[36] Outraged by their lack of communication, Bonang resigned from the radio station the next day.[37]
Fashion
editIn 2008, Matheba made a collaboration with retailer Legit in launching her first clothing line, "Just B".[38] She then partnered with a London-based designer to create a handbag collection called "Baby Star".[39]
In 2014, high-end South African retail brand Woolworths, revealed a collaboration with Bonang. They dropped a lingerie line "Distraction By Bonang", which is still ongoing as new collections were introduced.[40]
In 2018, Matheba alongside Superbalist, dropped a collection of T-shirts named "BONANG by Bonang Matheba". The T-shirts had famous Bonang quotes printed on them, including "Mo'ghel", "Give The People What They Want" and "#IAmBonang".[41]
The House of BNG
editOn 18 March 2019, Matheba exclusively partnered with Woolworths in launching a range of luxury Méthode Cap Classique (MCC) called, "The House of BNG".[42] The venture made her the first black woman to be added to the Méthode Cap Classique Association.[43]
Other projects
editEndorsements
editIn 2013, she was named the ambassador of cosmetic brand Revlon in South Africa.[44] The deal made her the first international ambassador for the brand outside the United States.[45]
In October 2016, Matheba was unveiled as an ambassador for the vodka brand, Cîroc in Africa, alongside fashion designer David Tlale, hip hop artist, Da L.E.S and club DJ, DJ Dimplez.[46]
After a trip to Brazil in 2017, she was named the new African Brand Ambassador for Ipanema sandals, taking over from Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bündchen.[47] It was later revealed that during her trip she had taken meetings with the Brazilian sandal-makers and even shot an advertisement in Rio de Janeiro.[48]
In 2018, Matheba signed an endorsement deal with cellular network Cell C, a deal that saw her partnering with them to also launch her own mobile app and an emoji pack called "BMoji".[49][50] Other Bonang's endorsements include Peugeot, BIC Razors, Brutal Fruit, Diva Divine Hair, Lifestyle Pads, and Courvoisier.[51]
In 2020, Bonang was announced as Samsung South Africa's ambassador, for their S20 range and the Z Flip.[52] In September 2020, she was featured on Glamour Magazine cover with a model Rich Mnisi.[53]
Writing
editOn 7 June 2017, Matheba released her autobiographical book From A to B written through Black Bird Books' Thabiso Mahlape.[54] The book received negative publicity from the South African public, with many lambasting the book on social media regarding its litany of spelling, grammatical and factual errors.[55] The outcry led to the book being pulled from store shelves by book retailing giant Exclusive Books. It was later replaced with a second edition where many of the previous errors were corrected.[56]
Personal life
editMatheba dated the local hip-hop artist, Slikour until 2009.[57] In 2012, Matheba dated record producer and disc jockey Euphonik. Euphonik was charged with assault after it surfaced that he physically assaulted her.[58] She then dropped the charges after the couple reconciled.[59] As she dropped the charges, people had accusations that Matheba lied about the incident. Matheba refuted these claims, stating: "I never anticipated how badly I would be treated when the story of my break-up was leaked. It was one of the most painful experiences and sometimes I am not sure how I survived", a reference about him in her book, From A To B.[60] She then removed the reference in the second version of the book.[61]
From late 2015 to 2017, Matheba dated rapper AKA. Their relationship, having started as an affair, was filled with controversy, taking place while AKA was dating a then-pregnant DJ Zinhle, who later exposed the fling in August 2015 following their split.[62]
Matheba has since kept the details of her partners and personal life relatively private.[63]
Filmography
editTelevision
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007–2012 | Live Amp | Herself | Host |
| 2011 | InterSEXions | Nurse Seipati | Television series |
| 2012 | 18th South African Music Awards | Herself | Host |
| 2012 | Top Billing | Herself | Presenter |
| 2013 | Don't Judge | Herself | |
| 2014 | Zaziwa | Herself | Guest |
| 2014 | 2014 MTV Europe Music Awards | Herself | Pre-show host |
| 2015–2016 | Afternoon Express | Herself | Presenter |
| 2016 | E! Africa Red-Carpet | Herself | Host |
| 2016 | BET Awards 2016 | Herself | Pre-show host |
| 2016 | MTV Africa Music Awards 2016 | Herself | Co-Host |
| 2017 | 2017 Namibia Annual Music Awards | Herself | Host |
| 2017 | KFC Taste Kitchen | Herself | Host |
| 2017–2019 | Being Bonang | Herself | Main role |
| 2017 | 2017 DStv Mzansi Viewers' Choice Awards | Herself | Host |
| 2018 | Miss South Africa 2018 | Herself | Host |
| 2018 | Real Talk | Herself | Guest |
| 2018 | 2018 DStv Mzansi Viewers' Choice Awards | Herself | Host |
| 2018 | Global Citizen: Mandela 100 | Herself | Co-host |
| 2018 | Tropika Smoooth Fan[64] | Herself | Celebrity Guest |
| 2019 | PSL Awards | Herself | Host |
| 2019 | Miss South Africa 2019 | Herself | Host |
| 2023 | Miss South Africa 2023 | ||
| 2024 | Miss South Africa 2024 | ||
| 2024 | Earthshot Prize Awards | Co-host |
Film
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Public Figure | Herself | Appearance Co-producer |
Accolades
edit
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Totals | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wins | 12 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nominations | 29 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
African Entertainment Awards USA
edit| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Herself | Media Personality of the Year | Nominated | [65] |
National Film and Television Awards
edit| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Herself | Celebrity Personality of the Year | Nominated | [66] |
| Best Female TV Personality 2024 | Nominated | |||
| Best TV Presenter 2024 | Nominated |
Notes
edit- ^ Certain award groups do not simply award one winner. They recognize several different recipients and have runners-up. Since this is a specific recognition and is different from losing an award, runner-up mentions are considered wins in this award tally. Awards in certain categories do not have prior nominations and only winners are announced by the jury. For simplification and to avoid errors, each award in this list has been presumed to have had a prior nomination.
References
edit- ^ "AKA and Bonang – why it's never a good look to trash your exes and the lesson we can learn from it". News24. 1 June 2018. Archived from the original on 20 October 2021. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
- ^ "Jucy Africa – Bonang's 25th Birthday Party". Jucy Africa. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
- ^ a b "Bonang Matheba". TVSA.
- ^ "B*Dazzled By Bonang Matheba". daughtersofafrica. Archived from the original on 1 September 2019. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
- ^ "BONANG MATHEBA IS NOW A GLOBAL BRAND REVLON AMBASSADOR". ELLE. Archived from the original on 12 May 2017. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
- ^ "Bonang reps Mzansi at the MTV EMAs". News24. 10 November 2014.
- ^ "Bonang Matheba E! News Special". YoMZansi.
- ^ "Forbes cover captures Bonang's Essence". IOL Entertainment.
- ^ "From A to B by Bonang Matheba". goodreads.
- ^ "1Magic – Being Bonang". OneMagic DStv.
- ^ "Exclusive: Bonang Matheba on womanhood in 2018". GQ.
- ^ "Bonang Matheba". CutFM.
- ^ "Bonang Matheba's mother raising a famous child". Zaleb. Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
- ^ Pillay, Verashni (23 December 2016). "Bonang Matheba's Setswana Tweets Translated". Huffington Post. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
- ^ "Latest Breaking News news, breaking stories and comment". The Citizen. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
- ^ Thapelo, Tlahpetsi (17 June 2018). From A To B (2 ed.). South Africa: Black Bird Books. p. 12. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
- ^ "Bonang Matheba: A complete timeline of her rise to fame". News24.
- ^ "Bonang failed countless auditions before getting the fame". SowetanLIVE.
- ^ "Bonang lives Live". Heiresss. 31 August 2012.
- ^ "Bonang leads the choir". PressReader.
- ^ "Bonang dazzles MTV EMA red carpet". Zkhipani. 23 October 2014.
- ^ "Bonang dazzles on the BET Awards". News24.
- ^ "Global Citizen Festival Mandela 100". SABC.
- ^ "InterSEXions TV-Bonang Matheba". InterSEXions.
- ^ "Bonang film to premiere at Manchester Film Fest". City Buzz.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Bonang Matheba confirms reality show 'Being Bonang'". Algoa FM. Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
- ^ Nyhaba, Theo (6 May 2022). "Africa Magic awards' co-host Bonang Matheba not ready to start a family". SundayWorld. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
- ^ "Bonang Matheba to host Miss South Africa 2023 pageant". misssa. 7 August 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
- ^ Mafu, Hope (20 July 2024). "'B'Dazzled by Bonang' reality show explores the business side of Queen B". South Africa: Independent Online. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
- ^ Birjalal, Alyssia l (5 September 2024). "Bonang Matheba fans unite to get her crowned as Miss Universe pageant host". Independent Online. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
- ^ Simelane, Nomonde (28 October 2024). "Bonang Matheba set to host the Earthshot Prize Awards alongside Billy Porter". Bona Magazine. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
- ^ "YFM unveils new DJ line-up". SowetanLIVE.
- ^ "Bonang leave YFM". Citizen.
- ^ "Metro FM refreshes its line-up". TimesLIVE.
- ^ "Bonang replaces Siphokazi January". SowetanLIVE.
- ^ "2017 was a helluva dramatic with all those Metro FM changes". TimesLIVE.
- ^ "BREAKING NEWS: Bonang Matheba resigns from Metro FM after the station's reshuffle". News24.
- ^ "Legit launches fashion range with Bonang Matheba". iFashion.
- ^ "Bonang Matheba has bags in mind". SowetanLIVE.
- ^ "Bonang Flaunts Woolworths' Distraction Lingerie". Cosmopolitan.
- ^ "STYLE CRUSH: Bonang". Superbalist. 28 September 2018.
- ^ "House of BNG: Bonang Matheba launches her own MCC range". The South African. 18 March 2019.
- ^ "3 things you should know about Bonang's latest venture House of BNG". Destiny Connect. Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
- ^ "Get Bonang's Golden Glow with Revlon". Cosmopolitan.
- ^ "BONANG MATHABA IS NOW A GLOBAL REVLON BRAND AMBASSADOR". ELLE. Archived from the original on 12 May 2017. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
- ^ "Ciroc signs local ambassadors". Zkhipani.
- ^ "Bonang Matheba: New Ipanema Brand Ambassador". People Magazine.
- ^ "Bonang Is Giving Us Serious Summer Envy In Brazil". Marie Claire.
- ^ "Bonang by Cell C". People Magazine.
- ^ "QUEEN B LAUNCHES BMOJI!". Daily Sun.
- ^ "Bonang Matheba Bio". Buzz South Africa. 9 February 2017.
- ^ "Bonang And Zozi Tunzi Announced New Ambassadors For Samsung SA!". OkMzansi. 12 February 2020.
- ^ Desmond, Vincent (14 September 2020). "Rich Mnisi & Bonang Matheba Are Redefining African Fashion As They Cover Glamour SA's Latest Issue | BN Style". BN Style. Retrieved 23 May 2022.
- ^ "Bonang From A to B". Exclusive Books.
- ^ "BONANG'S 'FROM A TO B' BOOK MISSES WRITING ABCS". EWN.
- ^ "Bonang's book back on the shelves". eNCA.
- ^ "Bonang Matheba's Turbulent Relationships: Being AKA's Mistress, Euphonik's Assault Charges & 1st Love, Slikour". Briefly.
- ^ "DJ Euphonik faces assault charges". News24.
- ^ "Sunday World: 2012-09-09 - Bonang drops assault charges". Press Reader.
- ^ "Bonang Matheba: I hit rock bottom in 2012". TimesLIVE.
- ^ "Bonang relaunches book, removes Somizi and Euphonik references". TimesLIVE.
- ^ "How DJ Zinhle found out!". Daily Sun.
- ^ Pillay, Deshni (3 April 2019). "Bonang Matheba prefers to keep her personal and business life separate". Briefly. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
- ^ "Bonang Matheba part of The Eight Celebrities Taking Part In Tropika Smoooth Fan – PREVIDAR". Archived from the original on 4 December 2021. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
- ^ "African Entertainment Awards USA: All the winners". Music in Africa. 11 November 2024. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
- ^ Khanyile, Nokuthula (1 October 2024). "SA's 2024 National Film and Television Awards: Lawrence Maleka leads nominations list with four nods". South Africa: News24. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
External links
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