Personal Life
Babalwa Mneno-Mandel’s Personal Life | Source: Instagram
Babalwa Mneno-Mandel was born on 12 November 1977 in King William’s Town, Eastern Cape in South Africa. As of 2022, she is 45 years old.
The former Miss South Africa speaks highly of her parents and credits them for how they raised her. She said that they kept her on the straight and narrow, something that moulded her to become the person she is.
Barbz cites her mother as the most influential person in her life and thanks her father for providing for them.
Babalwa Mneno’s Schooling
The model did her primary and secondary education in her hometown of King William’s Town. Details about her further education remain undisclosed.
Babalwa Mneno’s Career
Babalwa Mneno’s Career | Source: Instagram
Mneno came to the limelight in 1996 after she finished as the runners-up in the Miss South Africa beauty pageant.
That came with its perks as she has walked on some of the most prestigious runways in the world; SA Fashion Week, the CPT Fashion Week and events in London, Moscow and Mexico among others.
In 2012, she joined the cast of Big Brother in its seventh season. She stayed in the house for 49 days and was evicted afterwards.
Babalwa Mneno | Source: Instagram
One of the things she is very passionate about and made sure to voice during her time on the show is xenophobia.
South Africa had hit the headlines several times for xenophobic attacks and she hoped to use her platform to address it.
Additionally, Babalwa has participated in several television shows; she commentated on 10 over 10, was a guest on A Date with Arthur, acted in season two of City Ses’la as Sibongile, was a season two contestant in I Love South Africa and was a celebrity dancer in Strictly Come Dancing South Africa.
Babalwa Mneno’s Relationships
Babalwa Mneno is one of those celebrities that doesn’t feed the public with any information about her love life.
That said, she reportedly has a husband whose name – Mandel – she still seemingly carries.
That relationship resulted in her two children whose information is also not available.
Babalwa Mneno’s Controversy
Babalwa Mneno’s controversy | Source: Instagram
Like many other celebrities, Babalwa Mneno has not escaped scrutiny from the public. In 2020, she was called out for wearing a wig to a protest march on natural hair discrimination.
The march was instigated by an advert by Clicks which described white hair as fine and flat and black natural hair as dry and damaged.
Babalwa hit back and said that she could wear anything she wants so long as she is fighting injustice.
In the same year, the former Big Brother Africa housemate was accused of enabling human trafficking. A controversial account on Twitter made the allegations but she responded furiously.
Babalwa denied all accusations and dared anyone with evidence to present it. She vowed to take legal action against her accusers and cited reputational and emotional damage.
Babalwa Mneno’s Car
Range Rover Sport | Source: Hey Car
The recent scandal involving her surrounds the potential repossession of her Range Rover Sport.
Reports suggest that she’s unable to finance a loan she took from Standard Bank and they have obtained a court judgement that allows them to reclaim the car.
Babalwa reportedly took an R1.7 million loan and has failed to make her monthly payments of R20,035.
In response, she cited that the COVID-19 pandemic affected her ability to pay the loan, a claim the bank refuted. Both parties have reportedly entered into a settlement.
Babalwa Mneno’s Net Worth
The businesswoman, model and reality television star has a net worth of between $500,000 – $1,000,000., with her on-air job barely contributing to her wealth.
Awards & Recognition
2013: Glitz Africa Magazine Top 20 Most Beautiful Women In Africa
Social Media
Babalwa Mneno’s Instagram: @blackbarbielish
Babalwa Mneno’s Twitter: @barbiliscious
