Basetsana Kumalo

A 'girl's girl' who loves dancing and laughing, she can be seen painting the town red with her friends

I am ... a free spirit who loves hard and hurts hard.

Where were you born? In Soweto, and this has defined the essence of who I am.

Where do you live? North of Joburg.

Who do you share your house with? My husband, Romeo, my son, Nkosinathi, and all the people who work with us - they are part of the family.

How did you get into your career? I was exposed to the world of broadcasting through being Miss South Africa in 1994 and fell in love with it. Later I diversified my portfolio to include mining and property.

Was it difficult going from being a Miss South Africa to being a businesswoman? Yes. There's a perception that beauty queens have nothing between the ears. I had to work extra hard to show people that I could deliver. I used the year to launch myself and create a sustainable career.

Who do you think has been the best Miss South Africa? Jacqui Mofokeng. She paved the way for all other black women who would bear the title after her. She got a lot of flack and took it all in her stride.

What went through your mind when you were announced Miss South Africa? I was in a state of shock. I didn't cry at the time, I only cried when I was escorted to the press conference by bodyguards.

Have you kept some of the dresses you wore that night? I still have the national costume I wore for Miss World. I also have my sash and crown.

I'm predisposed to ... crying. It doesn't require great effort for me to cry. My emotions are just on tap. My husband often teases me.

What's your favourite building in Joburg? Turbine Hall in Newtown. I love how it's been transformed into the beautiful space that it is. It's deceiving from the outside but when you get inside you are blown away by the lighting and architectural style.

What's the ugliest thing about Joburg? The potholes. They're driving me crazy.

What are some of the most memorable moments you've had in Joburg? My son was born here. My traditional wedding in Protea, when my parents were still alive, also stands out. And the day I met former President Nelson Mandela at his home in Orlando when I was Miss Black South Africa in 1990.

How do you get around? In my Mercedes.

I can't go a day without ... prayer.

If you inherited R100-million what would you do with it? I would put it into the Romeo and Basetsana Kumalo Foundation so that we can realise some of the projects we want to do, like building an orphanage.

What CDs are playing in your car? Luther Vandross, Laura Fygi and the Lady Sings the Blues soundtrack.

If your house caught fire what would you save? My family.

What are your creature comforts? Curling up with a good book in a bath surrounded by candles.

What are you reading? The Monk who Sold his Ferrari by Robin Sharma.

When I go out at night ... I paint the town red with my girls. I love to dance and am a good dancer.

I always collect ... shoes, handbags and crucifixes. When my dad passed away I asked to keep his crucifixes. They represent a moral compass for me.

My friends and I like ... dancing, eating and travelling. We like to hang out at each other's homes.

If you made a movie about Joburg, what would you call it? Authenticity. This city has a soul of its own.

Perfect happiness is: Looking into my son's face.

The one thing people would be surprised to know about me is ... that I can speak fluent tsotsi taal. The fact that I speak it so perfectly shocks people.

You're married to Romeo Kumalo. How do you deal with the pressure that comes with a high-profile marriage? We keep our lives simple and prioritise what is important - like family time on weekends. We keep it real. We also keep each other's best interests at heart and are each other's number one supporter.

As a former beauty queen, do you feel pressure to look the way you did then? Yes and no. I think it's important to look after your health because there are benefits to it, but at the same time I haven't allowed people's perceptions of who I am to define my existence. I like to dress well because I'm a girl's girl at heart. My dad was the snappiest dresser in the hood so I get some of that from him.

How did you deal with losing your parents? It was a painful and numbing experience. When papa passed away in 2003 I thought I would never be able to breathe again. And then my mom followed in 2006 and I couldn't believe I would wake up and live in a world without her. Loss teaches a deep and profound lesson about who you are. It also brings growth and deeper meaning to your existence.

Have you ever taken public transport in Joburg? Growing up in Soweto, I always took taxis. I travelled to school in taxis and went to town in them. I'm looking forward to using the Gautrain.

Everything in moderation but ... laughter. It's a tonic and I can laugh myself into a state.

I met my partner ... in 1996 at the SABC. He was such a charmer. I remember him asking me out relentlessly. I told myself that he's just too good looking - he has trouble written all over him. I finally agreed to go out on a date with him hoping that he would then leave me alone ... we've been married for 10 years now.

If money could buy happiness ... it can't, and that's a fact.