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The best of Bassie Kumalo on Top Billing
Basetsana Kumalo’s best Top Billing moments
This week on Top Billing we look back at 22 remarkable years, where Basetsana Kumalo’s incredible journey inspired every South African to dream big. From the moment she was crowned Miss South Africa to the incredible people and places she saw as Top Billing presenter, Bassie’s had some unforgettable experiences.
Since Bassie was crowned in 1994, there have been many Miss South Africa’s who each shaped the country in their own way. Now after all those years, Bassie returned to Miss SA as a judge. She knows that an opportunity like Miss SA can open many doors and wish all the girls taking part, all the best.
It was Bassie’s warm personality that made people open up to her during interviews and we look at her top moments with music legends like Jon Bon Jovi, The Bee Gees and Luther Vandross.
While the cameras rolled, Bassie’s personal life usually took a backseat. Bassie took a while to let love in, but when she did, her first choice was the right one. Who could forget the beautiful wedding of Bassie and Romeo Kumalo? After several years together, Bassie became a mother and her Top Billing focus started to shift to finding and developing new talent.
Bassie has been fortunate enough to mingle with some big names, but it was the inspirational Oprah Winfrey and Nelson Mandela who had a profound impact on her life. As much as Bassie uplifted others, she was moved by Oprah’s kindness and willingness to improve other people’s lives. She was honoured to present Madiba with a cake from the children of South Africa, for his ninetieth birthday. She got to spend a lot of time with the great man and in a way, he was like a father to her.
Nothing shapes you more as a person than seeing and experiencing different countries and cultures. Bassie has been travelling the world for years and shares some of her fondest memories she’s had as a Top Billing presenter. London, Dubai, Hong Kong or Pakistan, you name it, Bassie’s been there, done that! One very special trip was with the Proteas cricket team to Australia where she really bonded with players like Shaun Pollock, Paul Adams, and Makahya Ntini.
One of the most important lessons that Bassie learned in this business is that the people in your life is the real measure of wealth. She recalls how thankful she was for Neil McCarthy, a fellow Top Billing presenter, when he made an effort to spoil her on her birthday while shooting in Dubai. One of the funniest moments on air for Bassie was when Michael Mol scared her with a prank about the Loch Ness monster in Scotland. Memories that will last forever!
