SA’s Queen B, Bonang Matheba, tells Loni Prinsloo about her childhood dreams of being a corporate big shot and how she is building her global presence as a world-class entertainer What did you want to be when you were growing up?From a young age I recognised my strong and bold personality, so I always knew that whatever I did was going to be big. I come from a family of well-educated people, and that's the initial influence that had me seeing myself as some corporate big shot - but the universe had a different plan ...What did your childhood teach you about money?It didn't teach the value of money. Instead, it taught me how to attract money. From an income perspective, I have always known how to ensure I was in line for the job and always did what was necessary and expected of me. I had what I term "income affluence", but zero knowledge of how to convert that income into wealth. It was only about five years ago that I started to expand the income into wealth, and that has been a financial eye-opener.What was your first job? How did you manage?My first job was as a kiddies' TV presenter, and my income-affluence savvy served me well, because I knew how to get and maintain the stream of work coming my way.story_article_left1What steered you into the career you have today?For any child who has grown up in Johannesburg, access to TV production houses and agencies is easy. I saw other kids on TV, and I wanted it for myself and had a go at an audition. It was easy, as it did not keep me from school and, importantly, I still had my home comforts.What do you most enjoy about your career today?Being in a position where I am able to dictate my workload and schedule; bringing joy and warmth to people's faces and hearts; and leaving them entertained.What are you doing at the moment?I have always said my career plan was in five-year stages. The first five years were about learning the ropes and finding my feet, and the second about honing my skills. Now the next five years are about stepping out of southern Africa and branching out to the rest of the continent, which I have been doing in the past two years. I am also in the process of building my global presence and extending myself - not just as an on-camera personality, but behind the scenes as well. I have become a business within the entertainment bounds.Do you have any role models in business and life?I love how both Basetsana Kumalo and Khanyi Dhlomo refused to allow their celebrity to dictate and determine how far they could go in this industry. They are the template I use daily to create my blueprint to ensure that, 10 years from now, I am not just another name that was. It's about how to take the blessings afforded me and create wealth that builds and uplifts others.If you hit the jackpot today, what would you do with the money?I have been what is called a "closet philanthropist", and with any jackpot I win, I would continue to do just that - giving a helping hand. For the past two years I have been selecting seven girls who I take away for seven days and I spend quality time with them. This year, in September, I am going big, catering to about 50 girls from all provinces: we will focus on character education exercises; bullying prevention strategies; and family outreach exercises.Of course, an entertainment element will be added.Do you have any money weaknesses or special indulgences?Travelling and shopping. Those are my major weaknesses. I call my lavish spending in these two areas my "self-reward".My accountant says I "self-reward" way too regularly.story_article_right2What have been your best investments, if any?I dabble in property here and there, but recently someone introduced me to art, and that has been an interesting venture.With the growth of my profile, offers for investments come along, but I have to be wise and selective with where I choose to place my money.What advice would you give youngsters choosing what they want to do in life?It's great to admire someone else's template, but don't follow it exactly. Always remember you are creating your own blueprint, and it needs to resonate with you for it to work.What are your plans?I formed my company, Bonang Matheba Entertainment, five years ago, and this year I am starting to take more projects on as a producer and as an executive producer.I am in the final stages of talks to buy the rights to one of the biggest US TV lifestyle shows. It's exciting coming this far in my career and in managing my finances - still being able to attract the money and identify ways to expand that income...