Basetsana Kumalo has spent more than three decades proving that a successful career does not have to follow a single path.
Since being crowned Miss South Africa in 1994, Kumalo has transformed herself from beauty queen and television personality into a producer, media entrepreneur, fashion designer, property developer and mining executive, while also becoming a mentor and advocate for creating opportunities for others.
Her journey into business began when she was just 20, when she launched her first media production company. Since then, she has ventured into industries far removed from the entertainment world, including mining, where she spent five challenging years establishing herself in a largely male-dominated sector.
It was during those difficult years that Kumalo says she had to dig deep and remind herself why she had started in the first place.
“When things got tough in mining, I thought about quitting, but I told myself: ‘Basetsana, you do not have the choice or an option to quit. You have a responsibility to use the platform, use the stage for the greater good,’” she says. “And so, we charged along.”
Now, as she prepares to share her experiences at the MANCOSA Jacaranda FM Business Breakfast on 17 August, Kumalo has opened up about five principles she believes are essential for entrepreneurs and leaders who want to build careers and businesses that stand the test of time.
For Kumalo, passion is the fuel that keeps entrepreneurs moving when success does not come quickly.
“You have to have the passion for your business, because when the going gets tough, that’s what’s going to drive and motivate you to keep going,” she says.
But passion alone is not enough. Kumalo also believes entrepreneurs need to be willing to surround themselves with people who are more skilled and knowledgeable than they are.
“Surround yourself with people who are smarter, sharper and brighter than you. That’s what it takes to be a leader,” she says.
She believes that the right people should not only bring expertise to a business but should also understand and contribute to the bigger vision.
Another important lesson Kumalo has learned is the value of reinvesting in a business rather than immediately spending its profits.
“Make sure that you reinvest in the business. Once you make some profit, don’t go out and buy a Lambo; reinvest in your business,” she says.
“That’s how you are able to scale up. That’s how you grow your business and have sustainability and longevity.”
For an entrepreneur who has built a career across several industries, Kumalo also believes success should be measured by more than personal wealth or status.
“You have to wake up in the morning and say to yourself as an entrepreneur, I have an opportunity to create jobs,” she says. “That inspires me every day to wake up, dream big, and work hard.”
Her final lesson is perhaps the simplest, but one that has been reflected throughout her own career: stay true to your course.
“Stay true to your course,” Kumalo says.
Her career is testament to the fact that staying true to a course does not necessarily mean staying on the same road. Her journey has involved reinvention, entering unfamiliar industries, overcoming setbacks and constantly evolving while maintaining a strong sense of purpose.
It is this combination of resilience, reinvention and purpose that Kumalo will bring to the MANCOSA Jacaranda FM Business Breakfast, where she will be joined by an impressive lineup of speakers, including former Springbok Bryan Habana, founder and speaker Pavlo Phitidis, and Loop CEO and founder Kimberly Taylor.
The event has grown over the past four years into more than a traditional business breakfast, creating a platform for South Africans to exchange ideas, network and learn from people who have experienced both the highs and lows of building successful careers and businesses.
This year’s event will take place on 17 August 2026 at the Vodacom Dome, with doors opening at 07:30 and the event ending at 12:00.
Tickets are available through iTickets, with single seats priced at R600 and tables of 10 costing R5,500.
For Kumalo, however, the bigger lesson goes beyond business strategy. It is about understanding what can be created through persistence, purpose and the willingness to keep moving forward.
After more than 30 years of reinvention, her own career may be the strongest example of the legacy she continues to build.
