She is one of Mzansi's most adored and followed media darlings.
For years, her presenting skills mesmerized many on red carpets, on radio, and during award ceremonies, and she has interviewed icons since she was 16 years old.
In 2020, Bonang Matheba (34) packed her bags and set sail to international shores to pursue her dream in the US.
She recently returned home, to briefly touch base and handle some business matters while having fun. She’s recently hosted the screening of the Real Housewives of Lagos held in Johannesburg.
“Order has been restored,” she tells Drum.
“For people like me who relied on live shows, concerts, and such, we were affected by Covid-19 and it feels good to be back in front of a live audience, doing what I love. I am home, but I am still very much a New York girl. I will be going back in a couple of days.”
Many were unsure about the nature of her business in the States but she’s not yet ready to tell it all.
“I was working. People tend to think that when they don’t see what it is that you are doing, you are not busy, but I have many surprises on the pipeline.”
Although she can’t reveal too much, the big news includes her being in front of the camera.
New York is known to be the city of hustlers, go-getters and Bonang says that is exactly why she was in America.
“The US is tough. It needs you to know your story. People have been wondering what it is I’m doing in New York, and I have been hush-hush about it, but when the material drop, people will be pleasantly surprised,” she says.
“New York is tough. It is cut-throat and lonely, but I love the challenge. The US is massive, and everyone is trying to make it. They are also the crème de la crème of entertainment, they created it. It’s the heaven of showbiz. I did not get there and become the Bonang that is known in my country and continent. I needed to work to prove myself all the way to the top. The experience has been different in many ways.”
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Not only has she been working on camera but also behind the scenes and pursuing business ventures for her Méthode Cap Classique (MCC), the House of BNG.
“I had to tackle the US as a wine expert for my brand BNG and meet incredible investors. But I also had to look at it from a personality perspective, to see. Africa is the trend right now, everyone is looking to us for music and fashion.”
In October 2021, Bonang announced that she had terminated her contract with CSA Global and is taking legal action against the management agency and investigating possible criminal conduct.
“There was and still is a huge legal battle around BNG that is still ongoing. I can’t say too much because the matter is sub judice. But BNG is here, doing well. It is my brand; my heart and soul and we are launching something major. There will come a time when I will explain what exactly happened to me and people need to learn from it. It’s a lesson I learned and it’s a mistake that anyone can make and because we trust people, we end up in complicated situations,” she says.
“Which is why I am so grateful for Covid-19. It made me stop and see people for who they are. Had there not been a pandemic, I would not have stopped to see what was happening, so I am grateful for the lessons. When I eventually say, people will be surprised.”
In a few weeks, she will be launching a product from the house of BNG.
“Every year, we like to bring a new flavour to the people who have supported us. The timing needed to be perfect because I do things with intention and choose the projects that I do carefully. I like to be associated with things that make sense. I am also announcing another project very soon.”
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Bonang says the US has been treating her well.
“It has been good to me. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, since a young girl, I knew that I would start at home and then work towards being international.”
At home, she felt she had reached the pinnacle of fame.
“I always wanted to challenge myself when I felt I had reached the roof at home. I wanted to see what was out there. In terms of business and live productions, it doesn’t get bigger than the Miss SA pageant, SAMAs, Metros, and the Sports Awards which I have all done and there isn’t anything left for me to do, and the next step was to either go international or remain in the same place without growth. The next step was for me to see the world and where I can go,” she says.
In New York, she has had moments of frustration with the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple, but she is not giving up.
“It’s not all glitz and glam. New York has a lot of people but is one of the loneliest places in the world. If you’re going to attack it alone, you will have moments of self-doubt. I am lucky because I have some family in the US but I went there on my own and with my assistant. It is a very lonely and tough place at times, I don’t know many people. But I am making new friends and building. I also wanted to live like that, go out, sit at the park, be anonymous and do things that I wouldn’t be able to do be home without being noticed. But of course, there are a few people who will know who I am but it’s great to walk around and not have everyone recognize you. That’s the life I wanted," she says.
But she loves being at home and missed the food, the people, and different languages.
“I love how people appreciate me at home. I have never let fame get to my head. I have remained real and who I am and that is what people love about me, even when I am away with no shows or red carpets to host,” she says.
Through the pandemic, she survived by making money through her MCC.
“I relied on selling my MCC. I have been working since the age of 16 and never paused. I don’t take anyone and anything for granted, which has given me longevity. Kuli Roberts taught me how to speak to journalists and the media and that made me who I am. People at home make me famous in New York.”
Besides being away from home, she has also been visiting Nigeria a lot.
“I think Lagos is an incredible city with amazing people. The nightlife and the glam teams are superb, and I resonate with the high level of excellence there. It reminds me a lot of New York City. Nigerians expect a lot from each other, high delivery, black excellence and I resonate with that because they want to be the best. They inspire me and we can really take a lot from them.”
But she will always love home.
“We have some amazing and unique things about us that make us stand out and home will always be close to my heart. It birthed me into my brand and the person I am today.”
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While in New York, she also found love.
“I have been dating my American guy for about a year and four months now,” she says.
“But I just feel, the last time I introduced someone to my fans and followers, things just went pear-shaped. Showing my relationships has never benefited me in any way. It has brought me worse than good, and I learned that the hard way. I feel like I make more money when people don’t know who I am dating. But I am happy in this relationship. You can see my happiness in my glow and ake shoti ka nex.”
When the time is right, she will show the lucky man in her life but wants to focus on making career moves.
“Just because it’s not on Instagram, doesn’t mean it’s not happened. My fans don’t love it when I keep secrets, but I have been burned in the past and I am being careful.”
Bonang is often also attacked on social media. Recently, a Twitter influencer alleged that she had done some surgery on her nose, and she responded by saying, “I’m all for entertainment journalism, just don’t ruin the fun for everyone. It’s weird".
“Argh, I was not offended by the nose comment. I understand what entertainment all is about and I know what to take seriously and what not. People think I had work done on my nose but there is make-up contouring and filters,” she says.
“I have had worse things said about me and buying a nose is the least of my worries. I know how to handle critics."
This year she turns 35 and, looking back at the young girl in her early 20s who was a presenter on Live Amp, Bonang says her goals have changed.
“My goals have changed with time, mostly after launching BNG. I did not expect it to grow and be as big as it is now. It is the number one selling MCC at Woolworths and it has changed my life and showed me another dimension to the business,” she says.
“I was always a TV and radio girl but because of the success of my wine, I’ve had to make a huge change. It takes a lot of my time, and it is my heart and soul.”
