“We are within!” is the animated line from one of South Africa’s favourite memes of businesswoman, multi-award-winning radio and television host, affectionately referred to by fans as Queen B. The meme is made funnier by a vivacious South Africanism called a ‘vluit’, which is a hard and loud whistle, made by her, in celebration of, what can only be described in this context as making it ‘within’ the winning circle. She’s also a Zero Malaria global ambassador and style icon, and one of Africa’s most sought-after and highly influential entertainment personalities and social media darlings. And we are indeed within, with a backstage VIP pass to the rehearsals of the Miss South Africa 2024 with the B’dazzled star, Bonang Matheba, who has just arrived.
Nigerian photographer Daniel Essien is being shooed out of strict Series Producer Relebogile Mabotja’s view of the stage, as she dishes out the orders of the day. Rehearsals are off to a banging start with the room vibrating as the Top 10 strut onto the stage to a melodic drum beat. Mabojta also wears a motivational (and quite sweet hat), as she helps the girls put their best foot forward, showing them playbacks of their grand entrance and providing useful feedback. Everyone is in heels, and highly motivated after what has been a very long week for the team. Each hopeful contestant introduces themselves – one of them is the next Miss South Africa! Straight after intros, the ever so versatile Bonang whisks onto the stage, in a skin tight red dress.
Behind the lens of Matheba’s crew is photography genius, Daniel Essien, popularly known as The Lagos Paparazzi, he and a team of three, fashion stylist Damola Adeyemi, and make-up artist Benita, who is doing some touch ups of B’s make up before the final run of rehearsals. This creative crew, flew over ten hours combined, to behind the Bonang for one of the biggest nights on South Africa’s calendar.
The rehearsal has come to an end and the girls are ready for a well-deserved break, but first a snap with the Queen… they all form a bee line and envelope her. “I just love her” Top 10 contestant, Lethaukuthula whispers with a gleesome giggle.
No one does VIP like the House of BNG and just outside the venue is a taste of what’s to come for those who made the list! The pink carpet is being rolled out, ready for the friends of the brand who will grace it later with a toast to one of the first African brands to produce a true sparkling wine in a can, and the first black woman to become a member of the Cap Classique Producers Association.
The arena is set, and the production crew of Bonang Matheba Entertainment and Cake Media have been following us all day. They’re capturing every moment for the next episode of B’dazzled on S3, yet another achievement for the girl from Mafikeng who can ‘vluit’ and run what is truly an empire in the making!
