Take a hope journey with Bassie's book.

 

Caption: Stealing a selfie moment with Bassie at The Herald Miss PE held at the Feather Market Centre in 2009. Bassie was the MC on the night attorney Di-Ann Qoto won.

Helllloooowwww ...there!!!!!!! Welcome to South Africa's  women's month. 

Pic from SA History online.. The faces of the 9th August March

I  don't know about you, but I still can't believe that  it is  exactly 69 years since the women, across all racial groups in the country marched to the Union Building in Pretoria.

Yes, the over 20,000 women lead by Mam' Lilian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Albertina Sisulu and Sophia Williams-De Bruyn

Picture from SA History on line.. The brave faces behind the famous historic march of 1956

I don't think J.G. Strijdom who was the prime minister then was expecting the unity and the courage of these women who were sick of the oppressive pass laws.

At the launch of Bassie-My Journey of Hope in Sandton in 2019

So in the unity spirit amongst us women uniting and passing on the baton, I thought why not do a close look on the  book, Bassie-My Journey of Hope. 

                                              Miss&Mr Freshett Nelson Mandela Metro University 2019

This was released by Penguin Random House  in 2019. 

Besides, we are all about creating the culture of reading amongst us South Africans and Africans  especially with the group that the like of Bassie speak to.

We really need to know about our story, gone are days where someone else told our stories and there was a broken telephone situation or sensory of information.

                                                           Miss Gauteng finalist 

This is a book that every beauty pageant girl in South Africa should have. Bassie is the face of the post apartheid beaty pageant queen.

Pic from the Bassie book launch in 2019

 I mean the girl, GXHEBE!!! the big sister was rolling with the president of the country then, Nelson Mandela and the relationship lasted until his last days and even after his passing, Bassie continued to be a child that can give the family all the support it needed from a child.

Nelson Mandela's Memorial Service held at the FNB stadium with US president then, Barack Obama speaking at the memorial service

During the disorganized memorial service where important people that needed to be properly credited and given a chance to  pay their last respect to the men were not given the chance.

Nelson Mandela's funeral service in Qunu

To Mam' Operah Winfrey, thee mother of talk shows having to pose for a selfie before they will get an accreditation to the funeral.

As much as she spills everything, I'm only assuming out  of disgust of how we (South Africans) have

 quickly forgotten where we come from and the respect that was instilled in us by our parents just flew out of the window as soon as we heard and given the word, rights.

Bassie Book Launch 2019(I think pics were taken from her instagram account or I took them, not sure)

In her book, she also pays a tribute to Mama Winnie Madikezela Mandela. The two last met in hospital.

Footage from 

 The old lady gave her a bit of a lecture on how she needed to pass on the baton i.e train other youngsters to be in the position she is currently in.

With Alexandra Townships upcoming beauty queens

In the Book, Bassie also introduce you to the other side of her.  The normal South African woman who

 also suffered physical  Gender Base Violence (GBV) under her then boyfriend and boxing icon, Dingaan Thobela.

Alex Community Unites during a GBV case held in Alexandra Magistrate Court in 2024

She is also a religious who puts God first in almost everything she does. A woman who suffered the painful loss of eight babies while yearning to be a mother.

 A woman, whom despite being a public figure still loves her husband a former Metro FM jockey, Romeo Khumalo. She had a chuff life indeed but you can see that Bantu Education really worked on this one.

Some of the lessons learnt from the book:

1.The money and friends can work. If all parties respected each other when it comes to money

2. She interviewed Micheal Jackson during her top Billing years, the interview was done in a musical shop. Not sure why but if you are MJ's fan like me, in one of his Youtube documentary, the child's star reveals how fame didn't allow him to do little things like grocery shopping and has been yearning to go to shopping malls.

Mam Doreen Morris picture from internet

3.Questions to ponder on or would really make you want to know more on is the question.

 If Miss SA was Mam' Doreen Morris's brain child, how did it end up with the Weils family and Sun International?

With Miss World 2014 Rolene Strauss

Sistas need to give us clearity before black people start toy toying the event. She is in a better position to provide us with clearity.

https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/lifestyle/2015-03-29-its-reigning-queens-at-the-miss-sa-pageant/

Former Miss SA Liesl Laurie after her crowning

https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/entertainment/2018-01-24-miss-universes-mom-cant-hide-her-excitement-as-demi-leigh-returns-home/#google_vignette

Her husband Romeo used to host the Romantic Repertoire only on Metro FM 

 

Darling we have a winner

Yaya Mavundla walks away with  socialite of the year at the Feather Awards 10.

Yaya Mavundla with her award: Picture by Lerato Dumse

It was a deserving win for a friend, a sister and one of my  customers, Yaya Mavundla at the Feather Awards 2018.

In its tenth year, the glitzy event held at Johannesburg City Hall also paid tribute to the work done by the  late struggle and gay activist, Simon Nkoli. Flanked by brave beauties as she went on stage to except the award, Mavundla-a proudly transgender woman- said being named a socialite of the year  

was not only about her being on the list of every glitzy event but it was all about being visible as a transwoman.

I've known Yaya for a while now, I first saw her during an interview with eNCA reporter, Nontobeko Sibisi and I loved her from the distance. Despite all the gossip, the mockery and name calling she just went on to live her most purposeful life. In the year 2018, I got closer to Mavundla, as friends we  shared a lot about life and she has given me advise on many things.  I have witnessed first hand the effort she puts in whenever she attends an event. From putting on her make-up, to choosing the right hair, outfit and shoes just to make sure she looks presentable for every red carpet moment.  I have also witnessed how people who know nothing about being trans, gay or lesbian treated her. To name but a few examples, recently when she was at Multichoice office in Randburg a well known actor who has been harassing her at events caused a scene when he saw her. He intimidated her and told security not to allow her in the building because she is gay. Just last Sunday, one of the national tabloid newspapers saw it fit to refer to her as a man. This despite the writer and some senior reporters in that newsroom knowing she is openly trans.

These are two most recent incident but there are many more that she can pen down.

I was  both happy and proud on Thursday. From the day she was nominated, I dreamt of the day she will walk on that stage to grab the recognition she deserve. The category itself was  highly contested with the Modiselle sisters and Dr Smile also nominated in the same category. I'm so glad that her first ever award came from an event which recognize the work done by those in the LGBTIQ+ community.

The event itself did not disappoint at all when it came to entertainment or lets just say when Thami Dish knows how to treat guests. He made sure all his guests are entertained from the red carpet moment to the actual event, the Feather Awards ceremony. The event kicked off with a dramatic performance by amongst many artist, Kelly Khumalo. This beautiful mother of two and  strong woman was joined by transgender women on stage and through out the evening, Khumalo was in the arms of her new men. Idols judge and the  most famous gay in South Africa, Somizi Mhlongo was the MC for the night. The veteran entertainer left threw shades at the it girl whose name is now not worth a mention. While his  lover was watching him do his magic from the balcony of the hall. The event this year  also received a message of support from our president, Cyril Ramaphosa. We also spotted former Miss South Africa and now businesswoman, Basetsane Khumalo. You would swear aunt Bassie and aunt Khanyi Dlomo knows and uses an anti aging cream. Khumalo looked stunning in a black beaded glittery dress.

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Yaya is also the founder of Mzansi Pride. The annual event will be held in its fourth year will take place on the 24th of this month at Newtown Precinct Park

Feather Awards 10 nominees pic Supplied

The first neck piece we did for Yaya was a transflag

Pic Zanele Mholi