Bonang Matheba is a multi-talented personality who has made a name for herself in the South African media industry. She is an award-winning TV presenter, radio host, actress, social media influencer and entrepreneur. She has hosted some of the most popular shows on television and radio, and has also launched her own brands of lingerie, champagne and cosmetics. She is widely regarded as one of the most influential and stylish celebrities in South Africa.

Early Life and Family

Bonang Matheba was born on 25 June 1987 in Mahikeng, a city in the North West province of South Africa. Her parents are Gampi Matheba, a senior lecturer at North West University, and Charlotte Mokoena, an executive vice-president at Sasol, a multinational energy company. She has two half-siblings, Reabetswe Sechoaro and Thabo Mokoena. Reabetswe is a businesswoman and model who was among the top three contestants at the 2016 Miss International South Africa pageant.

Bonang attended Fourways High School in Johannesburg, where she developed an interest in media and entertainment. She later enrolled at the University of Johannesburg to pursue a bachelor’s degree in marketing. However, she dropped out after landing her first job as a TV presenter. She later returned to complete her degree.

Television Career

Bonang’s television career began when she was 15 years old, appearing in the SABC2 kid’s show Manhattan Fantasy Challenge. In 2007, she auditioned for the popular music show Live Amp on SABC1 and got the role. She quickly became a household name for her exceptional presenting skills and her distinct signature voice. She hosted Live Amp for six years until 2012.

She then moved on to host other shows on various channels, such as Clash of the Choirs SA, Afternoon Express, and Top Billing. She also hosted her own reality TV show called Being Bonang, which ran for three seasons from 2017 to 2019. The show gave viewers an insight into her personal and professional life.

Radio Career

Bonang also ventured into radio, joining Metro FM as a host in 2014. She co-hosted The Front Row, a weekday morning show that featured music, entertainment news and interviews with celebrities. She gained a loyal fan base for her lively and engaging personality on air.

However, her radio career was not without controversy. In 2017, she agreed to join a rival radio station, Touch HD, which was a breach of contract with Metro FM. She was fired and then rehired by Metro FM after negotiations. However, she eventually resigned from Metro FM later that year.

Awards and Achievements

Bonang has received numerous accolades for her work in media and entertainment. Some of the awards she has won include:

• Digital Influencer of the Year at the Channel 24 Social Media Awards in 2015
• Most Stylish Female Celeb at the You Spectacular Awards in 2016
• Most Stylish Media Personality at the SA Style Awards in 2014
• Style Icon of the Year at the SA Style Awards in 2015

She has also been nominated for several international awards, such as the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards, the MTV Africa Music Awards and the E! People’s Choice Awards.

Business Ventures

Besides being a media personality, Bonang is also a successful entrepreneur. She has launched her own brands of lingerie (Bonang for Distraction), champagne (House of BNG) and cosmetics (Bonang Matheba Beauty). She has also collaborated with other brands such as Revlon, Woolworths, Cell C and Courvoisier.

She is also involved in philanthropy, supporting causes such as education, women empowerment and HIV/AIDS awareness. She has her own foundation called The Bonang Matheba Bursary Fund, which provides scholarships to young women from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Personal Life

Bonang is currently single and lives in New York City. She relocated to the United States in 2020 to pursue new opportunities in the American market. However, she still visits her homeland frequently.

She has dated several famous men in the past, such as rappers AKA and Slikour, DJ Euphonik, singer D’banj and soccer star Siphiwe Tshabalala.

Bonang Matheba and AKA: A Controversial Love Story

Bonang Matheba and AKA were one of the most talked-about celebrity couples in South Africa. They had a tumultuous relationship that was marked by scandal, drama and heartbreak. Here is everything you need to know about their romance.

How They Met

Bonang and AKA met in 2012 when they co-hosted the Channel O Music Video Awards. They had an instant chemistry and became friends. However, they denied any romantic involvement at the time, as AKA was in a relationship with DJ Zinhle, who was pregnant with his daughter Kairo.

The Affair

In 2015, DJ Zinhle shocked the nation when she revealed on her blog that AKA had cheated on her with Bonang while she was pregnant. She claimed that she had found out about the affair through a friend who had seen them together at a hotel. She also said that she had confronted AKA and Bonang, but they denied it.

Bonang and AKA initially kept silent about the allegations, but later confirmed their relationship on social media. They posted pictures of themselves on Instagram and Twitter, showing off their love and happiness. They also defended themselves against the backlash from fans and the media, who accused them of being disrespectful and immoral.

The Breakup

Bonang and AKA seemed to have a fairy-tale romance, as they travelled the world together, attended events together and supported each other’s careers. They also collaborated on music projects, such as AKA’s hit song The World Is Yours, which featured Bonang’s vocals.

However, their relationship was not without challenges. They faced rumours of infidelity, jealousy and insecurity. They also had several breakups and makeups, which they announced on social media.

Their final breakup happened in 2017, when AKA tweeted that he and Bonang had split up. He later deleted the tweet and apologized to Bonang for airing their dirty laundry in public. He said that they had broken up because of their busy schedules and personal differences.

The Aftermath

After their breakup, Bonang and AKA moved on with their lives. Bonang focused on her media career and business ventures, while AKA dated model Nicole Nyaba and rapper Nelli Tembe.

However, they still had some unresolved issues. In 2018, AKA released a song called Beyoncé, in which he dissed Bonang and accused her of witchcraft. He also claimed that she had lied about being pregnant with his child.

Bonang did not respond directly to AKA’s song, but she hinted that she was not bothered by it. She posted a picture of herself on Instagram with the caption “Mood”, showing her smiling and holding a glass of champagne.

The Tragedy

In 2021, tragedy struck when AKA’s fiancée Nelli Tembe died after falling from the 10th floor of a hotel in Cape Town. The circumstances surrounding her death are still unclear, but some reports suggest that she had suffered from depression and suicidal tendencies.

Bonang expressed her condolences to AKA and his family on Twitter. She wrote “Sending you love @akaworldwide … May God bless you” with a heart emoji.

She also paid tribute to Nelli Tembe on Instagram, posting a picture of her with the caption “Rest In Peace Nellie” with a broken heart emoji.