Leap year celebs to party
Stars born on February 29 can't wait to boogie down this year
eNCA ’ s Ananda Khomo has not had a birthday bash in three years. Not because she doesn ’ t like parties, but her actual birth date only appears on the calendar once in four years.
Khomo and other “leap year ” babies born on February 29 are often teased about not having birthdays for three years.
A leap year has 366 days instead of the normal 365, and this year Khomo and a host of other “unlucky ” celebs get to celebrate their days of birth.
Khomo says people still look at her strangely every time she ’ s asked her ID number or date of birth.
“It was more of a big deal at school when a leap year would come around. I would be made to stand up and talk about it or be used as an example to explain the meaning of leap year,” says Khomo.
“I didn ’ t celebrate my birthday in normal years, but got phone calls from family and friends. They would randomly choose between February 28 and March 1.”
She says her best ever birthday celebration was when she used to be a traffic announcer on the 180 with
Bob radio show at Kaya FM in 2012. “All leap year listeners were invited to share in my breakfast celebration, ” she says.
“It was a lovely on-air celebration. That was quite lovely, sharing the experience with other leap year babies. ”
She says this year will be no different. She plans to have dinner with her hubby, kids and the rest of the family.
Pastor Bonsai Shongwe, Afro-pop singer Kelly Khumalo ’ s former manager, is another leap year baby.
Shongwe says his best birthday celebration was in 1980.
“My parents took me to a birthday party at Carlton Centre, organised for all the leap year babies. That occasion let me know I was a unique child,” says Shongwe, who is also a motivational speaker.
“I get teased till today for the three years when I don ’ t have a birthday. I got used to the same joke every year for 40 years. But I have to be polite and play along.”
He adds: “My fiancée, church leadership and my family have all been acting strange and shady lately
… I suspect it ’ s connected to my upcoming birthday.
“’I m convinced a big surprise is being organised by my siblings and cousins. They aren ’ t that good at hiding things.”
South African TV presenter and singer Suanne Braun, based in London, is no longer bothered by her “strange ” birthday.
“’I m planning on having a big party as I haven ’ t had a proper birthday bash here in London,” says the former M-Net presenter.
“Either that or I might escape with my husband for a weekend somewhere wonderful like Rome, Paris or Berlin.
“Sadly, my parents and brothers won ’ t be with me for my birthday as my folks are in South Africa and my brothers are in the US and elsewhere in Africa. “I will be coming home in April, and we ’ ll celebrate my birthday then.”
US actor and rapper Ja Rule will also celebrate his 40th birthday tomorrow.