BOOK TITLE: BASSIE: MY JOURNEY OF HOPE AUTHOR: BASETSANA KHUMALO AVAILABLE AT: EXCLUSIVE BOOKS

REVIEWED BY: KELETSO THOBEGA

I saw this book recently when I walked into Exclusive Books looking for something to read, and the title instantly attracted me. I have always looked up to Khumalo, for her steadfast passion and tenacity. I’m an intellectually stimulated person - I’m generally attracted to personality in people, and I enjoy talking to and reading on people with interesting experiences - whether funny or sad!

And this beautiful lady’s journey has been quite an interesting one.

Businesswoman and former beauty queen Basetsana Khumalo (nee Makgalemele) was raised in Soweto, and as someone who also grew up in a township, and aspired to lead a better life, see more of the world, capitalise off my talents and morph into the best version of myself, I always enjoy reading inspiring stories about people who came from townships or poverty, but did not allow that to define or limit them. After all, your past and future script does not necessarily need to be your future script...

Khumalo shot to fame as Miss South Africa in 1994 and instantly became the face of South Africa’s democracy. She went on to become the first black presenter of the glamorous lifestyle TV show Top Billing. Her drive and ambition later took her into the world of business and entrepreneurship. The street savvy that her entrepreneurial parents bestowed on her as a child put her in good stead as she built a media empire.

In this book she shares the secrets of her success and all the lessons she’s learnt along the way such as time management, cementing ties with the right type of people and investing in sustainable and healthy relationships.

Perhaps most interesting is how she opens up about the pressures of her high-profile marriage to Romeo Khumalo and their heartbreaking struggle to have a family (she suffered miscarriages earlier in their marriage). Having survived an abusive relationship with a man who disrespected and beat her up, God worked miracles and she met a handsome and genuine man who supported her dreams. Through regaling their whirlwind romance, Bassie demonstrates how the type of man a woman chooses will determine her happiness and how far she goes in life; Bassie chose a well-bred man, who wanted to see her thrive and be successful without feeling inferior or intimidated. Bassie, as she is popularly known, also shares the secrets of her success and all the lessons she’s learnt along the way, especially on motherhood and maintaining a healthy work/life balance. She also describes the legal battles she faced in order to protect her brand, and gives a chilling account of the “stalker” who once harassed her, and the ‘sex-tape’ allegations that almost destroyed her career. Bassie’ enthusiasm and humour makes this intimate memoir of a remarkable life that reflects the magic of dreams, and working hard to achieve them. I enjoyed reading this book because Bassie is authentic and honest.