From a bright-eyed girl in Mahikeng, South Africa, to one of Africa’s most recognisable media and business icons, Bonang Dorothy Matheba’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. It’s a story fueled by ambition, reinvention, and an unrelenting pursuit of excellence.
Her love affair with television began early. As a teenager, she took presenting classes, and by 15, she was already gracing screens on SABC 2’s “Manhattan Fantasy Challenge”.
Even then, her talent was impossible to ignore. By the time she finished high school, she wasn’t just dreaming, she was plotting a path straight into broadcasting greatness.
Everything changed in 2007 when she auditioned for LIVE on SABC 1. Landing that role wasn’t just a win, it was a launchpad. With her signature charisma, razor-sharp delivery, and magnetic screen presence, Bonang became one of the most influential faces on South African television.
Over the years, she hosted a dazzling array of shows, Live Amp, Clash of the Choirs SA, Afternoon Express, Top Billing, and KFC Taste Kitchen. Her talents went global as she commanded stages at the MTV Europe Music Awards, the BET Awards pre-show, the MTV Africa Music Awards, and the prestigious Miss South Africa pageant.
Her star continued to rise, culminating in co-hosting the monumental “Global Citizen Mandela” 100 concert alongside Trevor Noah and Naomi Campbell. In 2024, she took on one of her most high-profile roles yet: hosting “Miss Universe” and co-hosting the “Earthshot Prize Awards” in Cape Town.
Radio, too, played a starring role in Bonang’s rise. At Metro FM, she connected with millions, proving her voice, and her charisma, resonated far beyond the television screen. But the real game-changer came when she stepped behind the scenes.
In 2017, she launched Bonang Matheba Entertainment, producing the hit reality series “Being Bonang” and later, in 2024, the revived “BDazzled by Bonang”. These shows offered fans a front-row seat to the life of a media mogul, entrepreneur, and cultural powerhouse.
Her entrepreneurial genius didn’t stop there. In 2019, she unveiled House of BNG, a luxury beverage brand that immediately shook up the market.
Her debut Méthode Cap Classique Brut and Brut Rosé showcased meticulous craftsmanship, making her the first Black woman admitted into the Cap Classique Producers Association.
Innovation followed innovation: BNG Nectar in cans became one of South Africa’s first sparkling wines in portable format, selling a staggering 500,000 cans in January 2023 alone.
By 2024, as the brand celebrated its 5-year anniversary, it expanded its offerings to include a non-alcoholic Nectar Rosé and teased upcoming lifestyle products like glassware and dinnerware.
But Bonang’s influence stretches far beyond business and media. As a Global Citizen Ambassador and founder of the Bonang Matheba Bursary Fund, she has championed girls’ education and youth empowerment across South Africa. Her advocacy for equality and opportunity ensures that her career is celebrated not just for glamour, but for meaningful impact.
The accolades have poured in. She’s been named among Forbes Africa’s 50 Most Powerful Women, honoured at the Global Social Awards for Influence and Inspiration, crowned E! Africa Influencer of the Year, and won the Nickelodeon Best South African Radio DJ award, plus countless recognitions from SA Style Awards, GQ South Africa, and DSTV Mzansi Viewers’ Choice Awards.
Today, Bonang Matheba is more than a media personality, she is a blueprint of African excellence.
Her story, from Mahikeng to the world stage, is a testament to vision, resilience, and the audacity to be iconic. It’s a story that inspires, captivates, and reminds every reader that brilliance is never an accident, it’s a choice.
