South African celebrities are not just here to entertain us, but they are seriously securing the bags through diversification of their income through different means, but it appears majority of them are delving into exotic alcoholic drink, and wine.
1- Bonang: House of BNG.
A TIMELESS TASTE OF AFRICAIn 2019, Bonang Matheba launched her very own luxury beverage brand with the introduction of the House of BNG and its Brut and Brut Rosé Méthode Cap Classiques (MCCs).
Bonang Matheba’s “love letter to Africa”, The House of BNG presents the country’s finest collection of MCCs and pure sparkling wines. After selecting superior grapes from across the world-renowned Stellenbosch wine-producing region, The House of BNG’s wine master crafts unique blends that have captured the imagination of MCC and sparkling wine lovers around South Africa, and on the continent.
In 2019, Bonang Matheba launched her very own luxury beverage brand with the introduction of the House of BNG and its Brut and Brut Rosé Méthode Cap Classiques (MCCs).
Bonang’s “loveletter to Africa”, the brand became the country’s favoured celebration partner – from the Presidential Inauguration to Miss SA – and, in the process, ‘Queen B’ also became the first black woman to become a member of the Cap Classique Producers Association.
The House of BNG followed up soon after with the release of its Prestige Reserve MCC, launched at the SunMet, Africa’s biggest and richest horse-race.
The House of BNG continues to innovate the category and its unstoppable ascent in the South African luxury beverage market following the release of the Nectar range, one of the first African brands to produce a true sparkling wine in a can.
“The House of BNG was a passion project of mine for a long time. It’s no secret that champagne is my favourite drink, so having the opportunity to make my own MCC was an opportunity I couldn’t miss out on! I’m so excited about the brand’s growth and in its innovation of new products,” says Bonang.
Known as the “Champagne Queen”, Bonang made a specific decision to orginally make MCCs with Cape grapes rather than a champagne (made from region-specific French grapes) and involved the careful crafting of a unique blend by acclaimed Cape Wine Master Jeff Grier, selecting the finest grapes from across the world-renowned Stellenbosch wine-producing region. To suit her taste preferences, Bonang collaborates in the creative process, from advising on the balance between bitter and sweet to the size of the bubbles.
“It’s been a magical journey working with Bonang. Taking cues from Bonang herself, the MCCs embody her spirit of vibrancy and optimism, from bouquet to palate,” says Jeff Grier. “As for the Nectar range, it’s outstanding wine, in the Demi-Sec style, light in style but big on taste.”
2- Kelly Khumalo: Controversy
Kelly Khumalo launches Controversy, a locally produced premium 6 times distilled superior quality gin Infused with a perfect balance of 5 botanical ingredients that dares to bring out the untamed side of life.
Controversy Gin embodies Kelly’s character traits, taking inspiration from her strength, presence, elegance and unapologetically bold but yet feminine.
Kelly has carefully selected botanicals that specifically gets a her taste buds to shiver, bringing you a very distinctive taste.
3- Khanyi Mbau: I Am Khanyi
The Spirit of Khanyi Mbau in a bottle.
The main botanicals are Juniper, Rose Geranium, Grapefruit, Coriander, Almond and Pepper. Juniper
and Citrus are immediately identifiable. The more herbaceous rose geranium holds the ends of the spectrum together, while the almond rounds off the experience with a smooth effect on the palate.
4- Boity: BT Signature
BOITUMELO Thulo launched a range of premium alcoholic and non-alcoholic sparkling fruit beverage brand, BT Signature, at a star-studded event at the luxurious AtholPlace House and Villa in Sandton, north of Johannesburg, last week.
“I’m excited to share this night with all of my friends and family, and look forward to the rest of South Africa enjoying it as much as I do,” she said.
Rapper, actress, model, businesswoman, television personality and now the creator of South Africa’s new favourite drinks brand. Popular South African celebrity Boitumelo Thulo, widely known as Boity, has added another feather to her cap, or diamond to her crown, by launching BT Signature, a range of premium, superior-tasting alcoholic and non-alcoholic sparkling fruit beverages created for individuals also making their mark on the world.
5- J something: JinGin
SA’s much-loved musician and frontman for Mi-Casa – not to mention restaurateur, is ready to delight palates again, but this time it’s in the gin industry, with the launch of his latest venture and new craft gin, Jin Gin.
For Jin Gin, J’Something teamed up with local craft gin experts, Craft Link the makers of the award-winning Ginologist Gin, and the result is not only a gin that has great flavour but that has a personality too.
Jin Gin is locally produced and inspired by J’Something’s Portuguese and South African heritage. The variants within the Jin Gin Collection include Rooibos, Orange and Honey; Tomato and Sweet Piquant Peppers and also a Honey and Olives variant.
6- Tbo touch: 4Gin
Media entrepreneur Tbo Touch whose real name is Thabo Molefe has ventured in to the Gin industry.
He’s now the owner of 4gin that only took him 13 months to make. He took to his social media platforms to announce that the gin is now available in some of the biggest supermarkets and liquor stores across the country.
He tweeted: “I took 13 months, sleepless nights on the farm making this #48GIN we have a 1st ever premium session. More @PicknPay now available Dainfern Square, Lynnwood Bedfordview, Rosebank, Killarney, Gallo Manor, Victory Park, Cresta, Clearwater Mall, On Nicol The Falls Centurion, Brit.
”This ambitious businessman is undoubtedly an inspiration to many young people who want to be part of the entertainment industry.After his departure from Metro FM, he launched his online radio station TouchHD and also has a line of wines, Touch Reserves.The 48gin was now available at Pick ‘n Pay, Ultra Liquors, Tops at Spar and Liquor City.
Other media personalities like Khanyi Mbau and Mashabela Galane also have their own brand of Gin.It seems like alcohol has become the new business ideal in the celebville.
7- Thapelo Mokoena: Nero
A passionate & driven Africa Actor, Film Producer, Wine Producer, Restauranteur, & overall Ideas machine.Born into the Mokoena Family. Thapelo Archibald Sfufane Mokoena has always been surrounded by a multitude of family members.This explains why he’s always had such a strong affinity to people and communities. A man about Family & Love. Love for the African Idea first.Thapelo was born in a small town called Ladysmith on the 21st of October 1982, under the Mkhamba tree on his way to hospital. This is the same town that boasts the birth of the legendary Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Sugar Boy Malinga, Menzi Ngubane & more..A Sotho Man, Zulu raised, Bilingual African, An African Ideas Man, An Original Man, An absolute True Original.
8- Cassper Billiato ultra premium.
Cassper Nyovest, in his pursuit to attain billionaire status, is working very hard to securing the bag on a daily, changing the game on weekly, with latest being his new brand of premium alcohol brand named Billiato.
The rapper who is always on the trend table for something is not leaving anything behind as he is securing every available bags this year with so much force and energy. Cassper has been making sells on his shoe brand Drip Footwear which he signed earlier this year.