South African businesswoman, philanthropist, and beloved public figure Basetsana Kumalo joined singer and media personality Nandi Madida on the premiere episode of The Motherhood Network Podcast for a deep and moving conversation about motherhood, identity, family, and personal strength.
The podcast, officially titled The Motherhood Network: Unfiltered Stories & Honest Conversations – From One Mom to Another, launched on 11 May 2025. Hosted by Nandi Madida, it aims to create a space for open and honest discussions between mothers. The show promises to highlight both the joys and the struggles of motherhood, helping women feel seen, heard, and supported.
In this heartfelt first episode, Basetsana spoke about how becoming a mother changed her life. “It’s such a privilege to be a mother. It’s such an honour and a blessing to be a mother,” she said. “You have this opportunity to imprint character, to instill values, and to guide with principles.”
Basetsana reflected on her journey from being a young girl growing up during apartheid to becoming Miss South Africa in 1994. She credited her late mother for being a driving force in her life. “My mother entered me into Miss Soweto in 1990 when I was just 16,” she shared. “At the time, Black women couldn’t enter Miss South Africa, so I competed in Miss Black South Africa – and won.” Four years later, as the country embraced democracy, her mother entered her again—this time into Miss South Africa—and Basetsana won again.
“She always put us first,” she said. “She sacrificed everything for us. That intentional parenting shaped who I am today.”
Basetsana also shared the importance of family traditions in her home. She described how her family gathers every Sunday for lunch after church. “We eat dinner together as a family, we break bread together. We pray together,” she said. “Being at home with my family is truly my safe space.”
She also spoke about raising her own children and ensuring they grow up with strong values. “It’s important for them to stay grounded and to have a moral compass that guides them throughout life,” she said. “The moments that I spend with them, I don’t take them for granted because I believe they’re learning much.”
In the episode, Basetsana didn’t shy away from talking about the challenges she’s faced in the public eye. She opened up about her family’s long legal battle against author Jackie Phamotse, who made defamatory claims about her and her husband, Romeo Kumalo. In 2023, Phamotse was found guilty of criminal defamation and sentenced to two years under house arrest.
“You touch my family, you touch my husband, you touch my children—you will see the wrath,” she said firmly. “As a mother, I had to stand up for my family. It took six years fighting for the name, the dignity, the legacy of my parents. The betrayal of the cyberattack was one thing I was not going to let slide.”
She also revealed that part of her fight was to set an example for her children. “It was also teaching them to be able to stand up for yourself and stand in the light of your own truth,” she added.
Basetsana Kumalo’s conversation with Nandi Madida set the tone for a podcast series that is honest, heartfelt, and inspiring. Her story reminds all mothers that their strength, love, and courage are shaping the future—one day, one meal, and one conversation at a time.
