Cover Story – Basetsana Kumalo & Shudufhadzo Musida

It is a picture-perfect winter day – the sun is shining and the sky is a beautiful azure, but it’s the breathtaking view that steals the show. Spread out as far as the eye can see, in dazzling shades of green, yellow and brown, is the majestic beauty of the Highveld – perfectly showcased at the Cradle Boutique Hotel, just 30 minutes north-west of Johannesburg. But while the scenery is indeed something to write home about, all the attention is firmly on the two beauties in front of the camera: the legendary Basetsana Kumalo and current Miss South Africa Shudufhadzo Musida

This is TRUELOVE’S latest iconic cover shoot. It took months of careful planning, but it has come together beautifully, and in the most perfect setting. What better location to shoot these two women than in a place of power and ancient beauty that is steeped in such rich history but also represents our future: the Cradle of Humankind, situated 50km north-west of Johannesburg. Basetsana Kumalo, as usual, oozes glamour and classic beauty – not a hair is out of place, her lipstick is perfect with her trademark megawatt smile that draws you in, along with her approachable warmth and that inviting demeanour. Shudufhadzo Musida is just as glamorous, with her luminous glow, flawless skin, captivating features and bald head that’s the perfect foil for her sultry appeal.

There are three beauty queens on shoot, as former Miss SA and Miss Universe 2019 Zozibini Tunzi, is also shooting her TRUELOVE HAIR cover. The stars have taken over three of the charming bungalow rooms, all of which boast a gorgeous, modern interior with luxury fittings. Like right out of a Hollywood movie, there are stacks of designer clothes, piles of high-end shoes, designer jewellery, and make-up and hair stations that are enough to get any influencer drooling.

Finally, it’s time for the first shot and for the two cover stars to come together. This is their first in-person meeting, but they greet each other with familiar warmth and love. It’s the epitome of two queens fixing each other’s crowns, as Basetsana smiles welcomingly and holds onto

Meeting Mum Bassie was such a surreal moment for me. She’s someone I’ve looked up to for so long and is a source of inspiration. She’s amazing and getting to know her and see the real person behind the icon is just so incredible

Shudufhadzo’s hands before the two share a warm embrace. It’s plain to see that each woman just wants the other to shine.

Shudufhadzo is thrilled to meet Mum Bassie, as she calls her, in person after their many phone calls. She says: “Meeting Mum Bassie was such a surreal moment for me. She’s someone I’ve looked up to for so long, and is a source of inspiration. She’s amazing, and getting to know her and see the real person behind the icon is just so incredible. She’s got this grace and warmth. She’s everything I thought she would be, and more.”

Given Shudufhadzo’s love and respect for Basetsana, it’s fitting that she’s chosen to follow in her footsteps and enter the Miss World pageant, just as Basetsana did 27 years ago.

Basetsana is just as complimentary about Shudufhadzo, saying, “What a sweetheart. What grace; what a presence Shudu is. It was equally exciting to meet her. We’ve spent a considerable amount of time together on the phone, just journeying with her and, more importantly, understanding her mission, her purpose and her cause with mental health awareness. It’s been wonderful witnessing her passion, and her sincerity about the work that she’s doing. She’s such an authentic beauty, but it’s not just how exquisite she looks, but also how she carries herself.”

Basetsana pauses, before adding, “When you are with Shudu, you are with grace personified. She was very kind with her words of appreciation about me and my journey – that again reminds me of the responsibility I have, to her generation, to continue to represent the crown positively. Throughout my life, I have to do that. And when young people see you as a role model and appreciate the work you’ve done and that you’re doing, then there’s no time to negate that responsibility.”

Basetsana, crowned in 1994, was the second Black woman to be installed as Miss SA (after Jacqui Mofokeng) and was also named the first runner-up in the Miss World competition, but she’s so much more – an

SHUDUFHADZO MUSIDA

über-successful entrepreneur, businesswoman and media personality. She has won the hearts of South Africans with her beauty, grace and charm.

Music wafts gently through the air and the occasional burst of laughter or excited scream cut through the happy atmosphere. The music is courtesy of the two leading ladies. Basetsana explains that in one of the conversations they had as they prepared for the shoot, they’d decided that Shudufhadzo would compile the playlist and she (Basetsana) would bring the speaker.

The music adds to the party atmosphere and the two get lost in the moment as their song comes on, happily jamming away to the music and singing along with big smiles. This is a perfect way to start the shoot.

While Basetsana’s journey to Miss SA and Miss World is very different from Shudufhadzo’s, Basetsana is more than happy to offer advice or a friendly ear. Shudufhadzo, at 25 years of age, wasn’t even born when Basetsana was crowned.

But Shudufhadzo is grateful to Basetsana and all the other women who have come before her, as she acknowledges the role they’ve played to get her where she is today.

Shudufhadzo says: “I just want to say a big thank you to women like Mum Bassie and those who have come before and after her. I wouldn’t be where I am without them. It was a process that took a village for me to get where I am now. But through them, I’ve seen myself in places of power, as I’ve seen what can be possible through the importance of representation. I never thought I’d enter Miss SA, that someone who looked like me could win but the women who’ve entered and won before me have made my journey possible. Mum Bassie’s win in 1994 paved the way for more women to enter this competition as they saw themselves in her, and I think that’s so transformative for women. Every Miss South Africa who’s been crowned has shown us that women can change the narrative. It makes you feel that you can’t help but want to carve out your own path.”

Basetsana is appreciative of Shudufhadzo’s acknowledgement of her role in helping ease the way for the future Miss SAs. “It’s always heart-warming when I hear that I played a role in helping to pave the way for young women, such as Shudu and even Zozi. And it’s quite humbling to hear that even perhaps winners before them. And for me, I think it was really understanding the huge responsibility that the crown represented, but what is even more exciting to see now in pageantry is women owning their own beauty, showing up as their true selves, and not conforming to what supposedly is a ‘standard of beauty’. To see Zozi and Shudu winning with their natural hair, is fantastic! These women are unapologetically Black, bold, beautiful and brilliant! I can see how the pageant has changed over the years: it’s very progressive. It’s very affirming for a young woman to know that they can enter a pageant just as they are, and that they are good enough. That celebration and the boldness of young women coming onto a stage as themselves is just beautiful.”

While there is no denying Shudufadzo is indeed beautiful, she’s so much more than just a pretty face, as she boasts some pretty impressive academic qualifications – a Bachelor of Social Sciences in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from the University of Pretoria – and she managed to finish her BA Honours in International Relations from the University of Witwatersrand shortly after she was crowned. She explains just how she made it happen: “It was difficult. I entered Miss SA while I was still busy with my honours, but I kept my focus and worked on the small victories, so it was possible. I’d do Miss SA work during the day, then at night focus on my studies. I’d try to get about five hours of sleep a day for a few months.

What a sweetheart, what grace, what a presence Shudu is. It was equally exciting to meet her. We’ve spent a considerable amount of time together on the phone, just journeying with her and more importantly, understanding her mission, her purpose and her cause with mental health awareness

BASETSANA KUMALO

I wanted to make sure my studies weren’t neglected, as I was writing my honours thesis at the time and my plan was to get my work in a few days ahead of schedule to ensure everything was on track. I was crowned in October and I had my presentation for my thesis in early December, so I had to stay on the path. I couldn’t forget all the things I’d prayed for, just because I’d won the Miss SA pageant.”

Shudufhadzo describes her reign so far as absolutely amazing. She says: “It’s definitely one of the best times of my life. I’ve met so many wonderful people and made so many beautiful connections, but also, so much has been done during my reign and that’s been incredible.”

She explains that the pandemic has played a huge role in her duties as Miss SA. She says: “The pandemic has changed everything. Sometimes we become too hard on ourselves, forgetting there’s a pandemic, but we’re living through the toughest time of our lives right now. I think that we just have to give ourselves grace to know we’re doing our best even in the face of adversity.”

For Basetsana too, the pandemic has taken its toll. She’s sombre as she reflects on the pain the disease has brought. “COVID -19 is brutal; it’s vicious in how it has had an impact on lives. Many people, including myself, have lost loved ones. Now, every time the phone rings I get so nervous, as I never know what I’m going to hear,” she says.

“This Delta strain is wiping out families and changing lives irrevocably. We have to reflect upon what this time of our lives as humanity really means. I think there’s not one person who has not been affected or suffered the impact of lockdown, of losing jobs, of having sick friends or family, or fighting for your life in hospital, to losing loved

I entered Miss SA while I was still busy with my honours, but I kept my focus and worked on the small victoriesh so it was possible. I’d do Miss SA work during the day, then at night focus on my studies. I’d try to get about five hours of sleep a day for a few months

SHUDUFHADZO MUSIDA

ones. People are trying to recover from this disease. It’s a constant battle and needs for us to have faith, that this too shall pass.”

But even with COVID-19, Shudufhadzo has managed to find a meaningful way to connect with people as she promotes her cause of advocating mental health awareness. In February, she launched her online mental health initiative, Mindful Mondays, with the goal of changing the stigma that surrounds depression, trauma and anxiety. Shudufhadzo hosts the programme in conjunction with The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), and in the weekly Instagram live stream, Shudufhadzo and relevant experts, cover current mental health issues. And given that the pandemic has taken an enormous toll on everyone’s mental health, Shudufhadzo’s show has been a muchneeded initiative.

Basetsana nods in agreement saying, “Given the current challenges we’re facing, Shudu’s focus on mental health and mental awareness is very important. You know, depression and suicide are on the rise, people are unemployed, and others have lost loved ones. There’s a surge in genderbased violence and while quarantining has been an effective measure to control the infections, victims are stuck in the confines of their homes with the abusers. People are looking for hope. Shudu’s cause is significant and very commendable, as it’s a difficult one to take on. Often, this kind of topic is not even spoken about; it’s kept in the corner and frowned upon. So, it’s really bold and formidable of Shudu to have taken this particular cause to champion as Miss SA.”

Shudu says: “The show has been very eye-opening. I’ve got a surface level knowledge of mental health – so getting to this in-depth research, and to talk to all these experts and these different voices, has been amazing. I believe in educating people, as that’s the best tool for empowerment. Now, with Mindful Mondays, a lot of people, including me, are being educated on mental health, and this is great to help

Anything is possible, yes, including a future in politics. I studied politics, after all, and it’s something I’ve invested a lot of time into. I never planned on being Miss SA, but it happened, so me wanting to one day be President of South Africa is a very real possibility

SHUDUFHADZO MUSIDA

It takes bold and courageous women like Shudu and Zozi to rewrite the narrative of Black beauty, entering the pageant, with their natural hair, which is beautiful too. And this is empowering young girls to own their beauty. I’m raising a girl-child myself, so I’m very cognizant of the narrative about her own uniqueness and her own beauty

BASETSANA KUMALO

de-stigmatise the topic of mental health. The biggest thing about it is realising you’re not alone and that it’s okay to seek help. Just knowing that can help heal so much.”

Shudufhadzo is a force. She’s got that special je ne sais quoi – that “It Girl” factor that can’t be quantified. Not only did she win over the judges, but she was also the winner of the public vote, making her a firm favourite. That is why it’s been surprising that’s she also had to deal with some unflattering comparisons to Zozi. But that hasn’t bothered Shudufhadzo – instead, she’s taken it in her stride. “I’ve embraced the comparisons made between Zozi and me on social media, and from people, but I’ve never felt the need to deal with it. Zozi is amazing, and was one of my inspirations in entering Miss SA, so I accept that the comparison will be there. It has been an honour to be compared with her, but our reigns have been so different – we’ve carved out different paths and that’s not a bad thing. Zozi is someone I respect and admire.”

But one thing is certain, all three women – Shudufhadzo, Basetsana and Zozi – all have their unique brand of magic. Yes, they’re gorgeous, intelligent and an asset to our country but there’s also a steely substance beneath, a willingness to go further and give more.

And Basetsana puts it perfectly, saying, “It takes bold and courageous women like Shudu and Zozi to rewrite the narrative of Black beauty, entering the pageant with their natural hair, which is absolutely beautiful! And this is empowering young girls to own their beauty. I’m raising a girl child myself, so I’m very cognisant of the narrative about her own uniqueness and her own beauty.