From the Bokke to bubbly: five things that make Bonang Matheba proudly South African

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Media personality and entrepreneur Bonang Matheba has shared some of the things that make her proudly South African, from her Setswana heritage and the Springboks to the country’s celebrated Méthode Cap Classique (MCC).

“My culture and language. I am a proud Motswana girl from Mafikeng,” she said.

South Africa’s wine culture also makes the list, with Matheba giving a special nod to her own luxury beverage brand, House of BNG.

“Our wonderful MCC wines — including my House of BNG MCC,” she said.

Matheba launched House of BNG in March 2019 with its Brut and Brut Rosé MCC, after a two-year process of developing the range alongside Cape wine master Jeff Grier.

The MCC was created using Cape grapes, with Matheba describing the homegrown bubbly as her “love letter to Africa”. The venture also saw her become the first black woman to become a member of the Cap Classique Producers Association.

Matheba also highlighted what she described as South Africans’ “unwavering bravado and courage” as one of the qualities that makes her proud of the country.

Sport is another source of national pride, with the four-time Rugby World Cup-winning Springboks making her list.

“The Bokke — our pride and joy,” she said.

Rounding off the five things was South Africa’s linguistic diversity and the ability of many South Africans to communicate across different languages.

“The fact that we’re all multilingual,” Matheba said.

She also shared five experiences she believes everyone should try when exploring South Africa.

For wine lovers, Matheba recommended taking a wine route tour through Stellenbosch, while nature enthusiasts should experience a weekend away at the Kruger National Park.

Her list also includes visiting the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg to engage with the country’s history and taking a drive along the Garden Route, one of South Africa’s best-known scenic routes.

For a taste of Johannesburg’s famous Vilakazi Street in Soweto, Matheba recommended lunch at Sakhumzi Restaurant.

Together, her picks span South Africa’s culture, history, food and wine, wildlife, scenery and sporting identity — the experiences and characteristics Matheba says capture what makes her proudly South African.

TimesLIVE