We take a look at local pop culture powerhouse Bonang Matheba’s rise to superstardom – from dropping out of university to a net worth estimated at R7.2 million.
Every time we think Bonang has reached the highest level of success, she proves that with hard-work, determination and commitment the sky is the limit.
Bonang Dorothy Matheba was born on 25 June 1987 in Mahikeng in the North West. Her mother worked in Human Resources at a large agribusiness company, and her father was a senior lecturer at the University of North West.
The 31-year-old had previously spoken about her admiration for her father, and how she would have gone into education if she was not working in entertainment.
“It’s in my DNA. I have great respect for teachers,” she told Azania Mosaka on Real Talk in June.
Following her parents’ divorce, the family relocated to Leondale (East of Johanneburg), where she attended Fourways High School.
FIRST BIG BREAK
Bonang made her TV debut at 15 years old, scoring a gig on the SABC 2 youth programme, Manhattan’s Fantasy Challenge.
But the TV bug didn’t bite just yet, as she enrolled at the University of Johanneburg after completing high school.
Referred to by many as South Africa’s “original it-girl,” Bonang became a household name after joining the SABC 1 music show LIVE, now known as Live Amp in 2007.
Much to her parents disappointment she dropped out of university to pursue a career in TV, but it wasn’t long before big things started to happen for the aspiring TV presenter.
2008 – 2010
Bonang first dabbled in fashion, when she collaborated with Legit on a celebrity clothing range called “Just B.”
The successful partnership led to the fashionista teaming up with a London based designer for a line a handbags called, “Baby Star” the following year.
In 2009 Bonang got her first taste of radio when she landed a weekend spot on YFM, which was cleverly called “The B* Hive.”
2011 was a really big year for the then 24-year-old.
Bonang was the very first South African celebrity to launch her very-own online reality show B*Dazzled on YouTube.
That same year Bonang became the very-first black South African to feature on the cover of FHM South Africa.
The style icon, released a range of limited edition T-shirts with Spree in July.
And as the icon she is, the T-shirts are embellished with phrases made popular by Queen B, including “Mo’Ghel” and “Give The People What They Want.”
Adding another “magazine first,” to her already long list of accolades, in August, Bonang was the first women to grace the stand-alone cover of GQ South Africa.
Source: IOL
