The first beauty queen in a free South Africa

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Basetsana Kumalo is easily one of South Africa’s most recognisable celebrity figures. She shot to fame as Miss South Africa in 1994, just months after Nelson Mandela was elected president. Basetsana was the first black contestant to win the contest in the country's new "freedom era" and, by default, became the face of South Africa’s new democracy. After this Basetsana hosted one of the country's top lifestyle programmes and today she's a successful media entrepreneur. Her book is called: Bassie, My Journey of Hope. This programme was first broadcast on 11th January 2020. Presenter: Andile Masuku Producer: Deiniol Buxton Picture: Basetsana Kumalo at the SA Style Awards in Johannesburg. Credit: Gallo Images / Contributor Get in touch: [email protected]