Bassie, distributed by Ackerman’s department stores across 240 outlets throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. In 2002, under the Bassie brand, Kumalo launched an eyewear range, distributed through Torga Optical. She followed this by launching the Bassie Red cosmetics textrange into 100 Foschini stores nationwide, followed with the Bassie Gold range in 2006. Publishing In 2004, Kumalo contributed to the book Inspirational Women at Work, which focuses on the new face of leadership in the country. Kumalo features on Recipes from the Heart with 36 of South Africa's most-loved celebrities. She is the editor-at-large of the Top Billing magazine. During her reign, Kumalo was Beauty Editor for DRUM magazine. In 2020, she published her book Bassie: My Journey of Hope. The novel has sold over 15 000 copies to date. Radio Kumalo had a stint on Metro FM, when she hosted the Breakfast show on 10 August 2006. Endorsements Her exposure was further enhanced when she was chosen to be the face of Revlon Realistic Hair Care range for both Sub-Saharan Africa and the international market. She was a Revlon spokesperson for over five years. Kumalo briefly endorsed the BriteSmile procedure by appearing on their website. Bibliography Bassie: My Journey of Hope by Basetsana Kumalo (Penguin Books, 2020) Awards and recognition In 1994, she received an honorary scholarship for Overseas Studies from Nelson Mandela. In 2002 and 2003, she was voted by the Sunday Times and Elle Magazine in the TV Style Awards as the most stylish female magazine/entertainment show host. In 2004, Kumalo was voted 74th on the list of 100 Greatest South Africans in 2004, the only Miss South Africa in the list. In 2006, Cape Town Fashion Festival gave Kumalo the Fashion Icon Award. Femina Magazine nominated her as one of the top 10 most glamorous women in South Africa. Kumalo is also the recipient of the Annual Rapport/City Press Prestige Awards. In 2011, she honoured as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum. In 2019, she was awarded most stylish icon at the South African Style Awards. In October 2021, she was honoured with an Iconic Award by Tastic rice for being the most influential women in the media space in Cape Town. References 1974 births Living people People from Soweto Miss World 1994 delegates South African television personalities South African beauty pageant winners Miss South Africa winners