Bonang Matheba Steps Back from Hosting Miss South Africa 2025 but House of BNG Remains a Sponsor
Media personality Bonang Matheba has confirmed she will not return as host of the 2025 Miss South Africa finale, but her brand, House of BNG, will continue its long-standing support of the pageant. The Méthode Cap Classique beverage marks its fifth consecutive year as a sponsor, having been involved since 2020.
“I won’t come back as host, but I’ll definitely come back as a sponsor,” Matheba told News24, emphasising her ongoing commitment to the event even as her personal priorities shift.
Matheba last hosted the pageant in 2024, when Natasha Joubert crowned Mia le Roux as her successor. Reflecting on her decision not to return as host, she attributed it to evolving interests and career focus.
“I’m growing older, and my interests have changed. House of BNG has sponsored Miss South Africa for a couple of years and will continue to do so as it aligns with other pageants, which we’ll be revealing at the end of the year,” she said.
Miss South Africa’s Continued Relevance
Despite changes behind the scenes, Matheba stressed that Miss South Africa remains a crucial platform for empowerment and inspiration. The 2025 pageant has been postponed, organisers having earlier stated it was necessary to “ensure greater alignment with international and other global events.”
Last month, Miss South Africa organisation spokesperson Kenneth Makhanya denied rumours that the pageant had been cancelled. However, when asked about recent developments, he did not respond to requests for comment.
“I love Miss South Africa. I love the organisation. I love what it stands for. I look at it as an empowerment programme because Miss South Africa helps business owners, like myself, and young personal brands. It is a beacon of hope for the women in our country and, like everything else, we need to believe in it. We need to fight for it,” Matheba said.
She acknowledged the current “change of guard” within the organisation but reassured supporters that the pageant would retain its credibility, magnitude, style and glamour.
“When things change, they sometimes feel uncomfortable, but Miss South Africa is Miss South Africa because of the people who support and watch the pageant. It’s not about who owns it. It’s about the South Africans who support and love it,” Matheba added.
House of BNG: A Steady Presence
Matheba’s decision to step back from hosting does not diminish her ongoing involvement with the pageant through House of BNG. The brand’s sponsorship has become a staple of the Miss South Africa experience, providing a celebratory touch and a high-profile platform for the Méthode Cap Classique beverage.
As a sponsor, House of BNG aligns with the pageant’s message of female empowerment and visibility, supporting the personal and professional growth of contestants and fostering networks for young entrepreneurs. Matheba’s dual role as a media personality and businesswoman demonstrates her ability to bridge entertainment and enterprise.
Personal Life: Love and Privacy
Away from the spotlight, Matheba addressed speculation about her personal life, particularly her relationship with David Phume. Despite rumours of a split earlier this year, she confirmed that they remain happily together.
“I’m in love. I’m content. I’m building a family,” she said. “I’ve been in the industry for 20 years – it could be worse.”
She added that her approach to fame involves managing curiosity while keeping certain aspects of her life private. “People are not malicious; they’re just interested. I’ve been very lucky to know how to stay home and be quiet – that’s what you do if you don’t want your business in the streets. You stay home and just concentrate on work,” she explained.
The couple, both seasoned media professionals, also work together as executive producers on upcoming TV projects set to air in 2026. Matheba described their professional collaboration as seamless, saying it was not difficult to balance public scrutiny with private life.
“David and I live such private lives that people always wonder where we are and what we’re up to. He and I are extremely private, but it’s nice that I’m dating somebody in the entertainment industry – he owns Cake Media,” she said.
Proud of their partnership, she emphasised that she only shares what she chooses with the public. “I only share what I want people to know, and with those who love and respect me. They know I’m very private – whether it’s my relationship or my family and friends – that’s how I am, and I think my supporters have been very kind to me and understanding of that,” Matheba added.
Looking Ahead
Although she will not be hosting the 2025 Miss South Africa finale, Matheba’s continued sponsorship ensures her influence and support remain integral to the pageant’s identity. As House of BNG returns for a fifth consecutive year, the brand solidifies its presence as a pillar of support for South African women pursuing visibility, recognition, and empowerment.
Matheba’s choice to shift focus from hosting to sponsorship reflects her evolving priorities while maintaining a meaningful connection to the pageant that has become a hallmark of South African culture. Both fans and contestants can expect continued glamour, credibility, and empowerment from Miss South Africa, with House of BNG adding its signature celebratory touch.
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