With two decades in the entertainment industry, Bonang Matheba continues to be a powerhouse. The South African TV host, radio personality, and entrepreneur recently opened up to FORBES AFRICA about her journey, career milestones, and her relentless drive to grow. For FORBES AFRICA’s October 2024 issue, Matheba has been recognised as their Top CEOs Frontrunner, a nod to her influence and entrepreneurial spirit.
Reflecting on her career, Bonang shared, “When I think back, [the pivotal moments] were meeting certain people or being part of certain moments or events or projects that have really pivoted my career and completely changed how I view things.” From becoming the first face of Revlon outside the U.S. in 2013 to launching Bonang Matheba Entertainment in 2017, she has constantly pushed her brand in new directions.
Currently, her reality show B’dazzled by Bonang is airing its season finale, but for Bonang, the journey of building her brand is far from over. “I usually do very well when I’m doing something I absolutely love, or I’ve aligned with things that love me back,” she explained. “It’s not just about me slapping my name on to something. I’m a bubbly girl, so I launched my own bubbly. I’m a shoe girl, so of course, I’ll have my own shoe collection with Steve Madden. I’m a big makeup person, so of course I’ll be working with L’Oreal and flying between Paris and South Africa.”
Bonang’s luxury beverage brand, House of BNG, is one of her biggest successes, offering Méthode Cap Classique wines and recently expanding with a non-alcoholic option. “I think BNG for me has expanded [way more than] what I thought I could do as a businesswoman and entrepreneur,” she shared. Listening to trends, she spent three years researching the growing market for non-alcoholic drinks and brought a new twist to her brand, meeting consumers’ needs.
But it’s not all business for Bonang. Known to fans as “Queen B,” she’s driven by a sense of purpose beyond profit. “I will always tell anybody that knows me or listens to brand Bonang or watches what I do that you should always be guided by your heart,” she said. In addition to her entrepreneurial ventures, she serves as a global ambassador for Zero Malaria and gives back through her foundation, noting, “Your gut and your heart are really your true lighthouse.”
Picture: FORBES AFRICA
