Basetsana Kumalo, the media mogul and one of South Africa’s most influential figures in entertainment and business, has once again left Mzansi talking—this time about her 45th birthday celebration, which, as it turns out, wasn’t what it seemed.
Basetsana, known for her flawless skin and timeless beauty, nearly fooled the entire country when A-list celebrities received exclusive invitations to celebrate her 45th birthday. The extravagant three-day birthday bash, held in April 2024, left many confused, particularly because the invitations highlighted her age as 45, despite the fact that everyone knows Basetsana had just turned 50.
In a revealing conversation with TRUELOVE, Basetsana shared the true purpose behind the invitation. It was all part of a clever marketing campaign to launch Eucerin’s Epigenetics serum, a product that claims to reverse the aging process by five years. The serum became the star of the celebration, and its connection to Basetsana’s youthful glow was the perfect way to bring attention to its effects.
“Everybody knows I turned 50 last year, it’s no secret. And so, when we were strategizing with the team, we thought, what can we do to make sure that the launch of this serum has an impact?” Basetsana explained. “The fact that it is scientifically proven that the [serum] turns the clock back five years, we thought, how about I’m turning 45? Let the people speak and wonder where this fabulosity comes from!”
Basetsana, who has embraced her natural grey hair and gracefully accepted the passage of time, attributes her youthful appearance to her dedication to skincare and self-care. She has always been vocal about the importance of a consistent skincare routine, which she believes has contributed to her glowing complexion.
Reflecting on her career of over three decades in the public eye, Basetsana shared the valuable lessons she’s learned, especially the importance of self-care. “First of all, eat well. Make sure you look after your skin. I’ve been in the public space for 30 years and, even though I was in front of the cameras, I never went to sleep with my makeup on. It doesn’t matter if I finish work at 3 AM, I’d always make sure that I cleanse, I tone, I moisturize.”
Basetsana also credits her father for teaching her the value of hard work. “As a young person, I was very clear that I was going to work hard. My father used to say, ‘Hard work has never killed anybody.’ So, for me, it’s work hard, look after yourself, choose the people that you surround yourself with, and just be proud of yourself.”
Having stepped away from her CEO role at her production company, Connect Channel, Basetsana is excited to see the company flourish under the leadership of new CEO Kopano Cowen. She also hinted at some exciting new projects in the works. “We’ve got a lot planned. I’ve got a new CEO and she’s doing an exceptional job. Currently, we’re shooting season two of Married At First Sight, which is very exciting. We just finished one of our Netflix movies… So, we continue to do what we do best, creating reality shows that are impactful, relatable, and enjoyable for our audience.”
