Former Miss South Africa Basetsana Kumalo recently celebrated her son Kgosiitsile’s 13th birthday, marking a significant milestone in his life. Basetsana shared a touching tribute on social media, reflecting on her son’s premature birth and remarkable resilience, a testament to the strength and love that define their family bond.
Basetsana wrote on her Instagram @basetsanakumalo, on 8 May 2025:
Thank you so much for the beautiful birthday messages for Kgosi uShaka. As he is not on social media, I read them to him. He said “Mommy please thank everyone for me.” Umfana uyabonga, nathi siyambongela.
Basetsana’s journey from beauty queen to business powerhouse is nothing short of inspiring. She first rose to fame in 1990, crowned Miss Soweto and Miss Black South Africa at just 16. Her crowning achievement came in 1994 when she was named Miss South Africa, a historic moment coinciding with the dawn of South Africa’s democracy. That same year, she represented the country on the Miss World stage, finishing as first runner-up, a proud moment for the nation.
Leveraging her pageant success, Basetsana transitioned into television, becoming a beloved presenter on the popular lifestyle show Top Billing. She co-founded Tswelopele Productions with producer Patience Stevens, owning 50% of the company. Under her leadership, Tswelopele became one of South Africa’s top empowerment companies, producing flagship shows like Top Billing, Pasella (an Afrikaans magazine programme), and Seskhona (a youth show in Siswati). In 1999, Tswelopele merged with Union Alliance Media and listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, making Basetsana one of the youngest black women directors in South Africa’s corporate landscape.
Beyond television, Basetsana is a formidable entrepreneur. She chairs Basetsana Women Investment Holdings (BWIH), a private equity firm with diverse interests, including travel, mining, and property. She also holds directorships in companies such as Uzalile Investments (a woman-owned coal mining firm), Tawana Resources (a diamond mining company), and Travel with Flair, a travel management company. Her business acumen has earned her recognition as a leader who empowers women and drives economic transformation.
On the personal front, Basetsana is married to jazz guitarist Romeo Kumalo, and together they have three children, including Kgosiitsile. She is known for balancing her multifaceted career with a strong commitment to family and philanthropy, often using her platform to support charitable causes and uplift young women in business and entertainment.
