Media mogul Basetsana Kumalo is in mourning. Taking to her Instagram account she said she is gutted, and her heart is broken.
The businesswoman is shattered following the passing of the Business Women's Association of South Africa (BWA) former President Dr. Namane Magau.
Dr. Namane was a force to be reckoned with and Basetsana learned a lot from her about leadership and inspiring other women. The news of her passing has shocked many. In an emotional post Basetsana wrote "It’s still so surreal that you are no more Ma. We are still trying to fathom and process. It’s hard, we are gutted. We didn’t see it coming. Our hearts are broken. My mother, my mentor, the one who showed me true servant leadership. The one whose mentoring was intentional and purposeful. I am the product of that."
The businessman paid tribute to Dr. Namane and relayed how she believed in her after succeeding from her in 2007-2009. "I had the arduous task to lead the organization and take the baton from Dr. Magau from 2007- 2009. I didn’t think I could lead that largest and oldest business women’s organization at such a tender age. She believed in me, told me I can, and I was equal to the task. Always in my corner encouraging, supporting, affirming and just loving one through the journey. When I felt inadequate, she would say “Bassie wa ka” you were born to lead. I would then buckle up and get on with it."
She said she will forever cherish the moments they spent together: "Even as a past President of the BWA, she continued to lead this organization from the back. Her contribution to this organization is too great to fit in a page. I will miss our chats, our laughs, I will miss you as my sounding board, I will miss your flair of femininity.
Mama Namane was a powerful, unrelenting voice for the empowerment of women, right up until her last moment. Many of us know her as a fearless fighter and a trail blazer, a doting grandma to her grandchildren, a loving mother to her children and an attentive friend, mentor, and sister. Dr Namane was a real inspiration," she wrote.
Messages of condolences have been pouring since the tragic news went viral on social media. Basetsana recently celebrated her 48th birthday and she took to her Instagram account to pen a lengthy post to to herself
In her reflections on her 48 years here on earth, she expressed gratitude for the gift of life and expressed thanks for all the blessings in her life.
On this 48th chapter, today I am thankful for the gift of life, I am thankful for good health, today I am thankful for all the blessings that abound in my life. Today I am thankful for family and friends, I am thankful for all the people I work with near and far.
As a result of all her life experiences and the lessons learned, she is grateful for the woman that she is today.
"Today I am thankful for all the love that surround me. I am grateful for the lessons I have learned. I am grateful for life experiences - the good, the bad and the ugly. They have defined the woman I am today. I continue to pray for guidance and wisdom as I journey in life. Today is gratitude day for me as I celebrate my birthday."
Image Cred: Instagram @basetsanakumalo