PHOTO FINISH
Queen B's new love
SWATTING flies while teetering on Christian Louboutin heels between two randy stallions at dawn is just another job for one of South Africa’s glam girls, who has added a new gem to her crown.
Queen B, Bonang Matheba, is the first spokeswoman in the 155-year history of the R1-million L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate, to be held on January 9 at Kenilworth Racecourse in Cape Town.
“She embodies the style, grace and sophistication of [the event]. She’s an icon in fashion and entertainment, everything we could want in a spokeswoman, said event co-ordinator Katherine Gray.
For her photoshoot in Philippi this week with champion racehorses Legislate and Futura, Matheba wore a bespoke Gert-Johan Coetzee white dress with blue accents — the colours of the event — and a fascinator.
Matheba will judge the best-dressed and best hat competitions on race day.
“It’s very prestigious and exclusive,” she said. “It really is in line with everything I love — it’s a day out, the weather is beautiful, the fashion is incredible, the drinks are amazing, the food is stunning, the guest list is world class.”
Coetzee will also be responsible for her race-day dress. “It’s 1920s-inspired,” Matheba said. “It’s all white. It has to be comfortable because it gets so hot. This year I wore a one-piece and I was sweating.”
Matheba’s Queen’s Plate endorsement is the latest in a string of deals she has attracted — including Cîroc, Revlon and Woolworths — despite her regular involvement in scandals.
She made headlines this year for her alleged affair with rapper AKA, revealed when he split with the mother of his child, DJ Zinhle. And Nigerian singer D’banj
It’s a day out, the weather is beautiful, the fashion is incredible
abruptly ended their fling to be with a Nigerian businesswoman.
Last year, Matheba faced controversy as a Metro FM presenter when she signed a contract with SuperSport at the same time. She was reinstated after apologising.
Matheba’s modelling partners are neck and neck as the country’s top horses.
“Futura won horse of the year this season and Legislate the year before. They are the favourites for the Plate, going head-to-head,” said their trainer, Jonathan Snaith.