The Best Is Yet To Come

She’s just bagged her second international award this year but the hustle to be great isn’t over, Bonang Matheba tells us

- Siya Tsewu

THERE’S no doubt South Africa has some of the hottest exports right now – Trevor Noah, Charlize Theron, and Nomzamo Mbatha are just some of the homegrown talents blowing up in Hollywood.

And if her latest award is anything to go by, Bonang Matheba is adding her name to the long line of locals who are flying the flag high overseas. The popular presenter became the first winner of the African influencer of the year gong at the recent E! Entertainment People’s Choice Awards in America.

It’s a few days after her big victory and she still can’t believe she beat rapper Cassper Nyovest, fellow TV presenter Minnie Dlamini Jones as well as Nigerian stars Davido, Wizkid and Tiwa Savage by public vote. “When you are up against the people in that category, you cannot help but feel honored,” Bonang tells DRUM.

“I was more than happy to be nominated. Some of these people have triple the following I have, which means my people had to do three times as much work for me to get the award.”

Her fans, known as the force on social media, made a beeline for the voting site, bagging her the award.

We take a look at how Queen B is dazzling fans all over the world.

FROM SOWETO WITH LOVE

Born in 1987, Bonang Dorothy Matheba always wanted to be a star. In 2007 she launched her showbiz career as a Live Amp presenter. A year later, she branched into business when she started her Just B clothing range with Legit.