Proud mom and actress, Minnie Dlamini has officially entered her season of rebirth, committed to being happy and becoming the best version of herself. We find out what the media maven’s plans are for 2024 and beyond…
After nearly 15 years on the scene, Minnie Dlamini has solidified her position as a household name in South Africa. Starting out as a presenter for LIVE during her student years at the University of Cape Town, it was clear that she had a knack for keeping audiences engaged and entertained.
She has since then hosted everything from local show SoccerZone to the prestigious South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs). She has also added the job titles actress and executive producer to her CV. Her latest on-screen performance in The Honeymoon (alongside Tumi Morake and Kajal Bagwandeen) was vulnerable and unapologetic – something women across the country resonated with.
But it hasn’t been the easiest journey. From struggling with divorce and online trolls to being a businesswoman and a single mother, Minnie has endured much to get to where she is today. Learning to find balance and inner peace, she’s setting out to make the next chapter of her life the best yet.
Keeping unshakeable faith
It’s been two years since her divorce from Quinton Jones (with whom she has a threeyear-old son, Netha) and she has faced much criticism online. However, she remains positive and shares her truth openly, hoping to support others going through the same transition in their own lives.
“It’s hard” when it comes to negative attention, she says. “Most of the time you realise it’s sad people, hurt people [or] people who are trying to get their 15 seconds of fame. “You deal with it as logically as you possibly can. I always tell people I’m still human. I see them, and it does hurt,” she says. “We need to create a movement of being kinder.”
She says of her marriage, “I felt like I had to reduce myself in so many ways and I wasn’t able to live the best version of myself. I feel like a marriage should never be something that clips your wings but should be something that allows you to grow a second pair.”
“Marriage is not easy. You have to choose each other every day. I would say, write your own rules and choose to be happy,” Minnie advises. “I’m just excited; life has become very exciting. It is difficult going through a divorce; it’s incredibly painful. It is like experiencing a death and no one died, but I am excited about what the future looks like. I am excited about the fact that I have a shot at being happy again. There was a time in my life where I didn’t think that was possible.”
Falling back in love with life
At present, Minnie is embracing being a single mother to Netha. “Being his mom is my favourite thing,” she gushes. “This experience is no joke. It’s even more difficult doing it alone. I think, for me, it’s just shout out to single parents everywhere. I don’t think I’ve ever been more insecure or questioned myself more than I do right now.
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But I also feel like God gave him to me for a reason. Sometimes, I’ve just got to trust my gut and raise him in a way that I was raised, because I think my parents did a pretty good job.” Motherhood has given Minnie a “renewed sense of purpose”.
In fact, this experience has made her appreciate her body and health so much more than before. “The older I get, the more I love my body! After having my son and seeing the amazing things my body can do, I have an unimaginable appreciation for it. My body is much more beautiful to me than it has ever been,” she exclaims.
“The reality is things aren’t the same, but this is the youngest my body will ever be! I spent my 20s self-conscious and obsessed with meeting societal standards and expectations of what my body should look like. Looking back I’m like, ‘Girl you were perfect and you missed it!’ So I’ve decided to love my body now more than ever before! Falling in love with me.”
Building her legacy
When it comes to growing her company, Beautiful Day Productions, Minnie is excited about creating cutting-edge content. She founded the business back in 2012 and since then it has soared, bringing on board happy clients such as MultiChoice, Jaguar, Disney and Huawei to name but a few.
“I knew that one day someone was going to get tired of seeing me on-screen, but I want to be at the point to continue to create longevity in this business. I can move away from the camera and go behind the scenes and be a part of creating the content that South African and, hopefully, viewers around the world can watch,” she explains.
“I’ve always wanted to produce, to create movies and television. I believe that there’s a way we can shape society through art, whether it’s through having conversations that are taboo or enlightening a community about what’s really going on in a certain space.”
As Minnie continues on her new journey of self-love and personal success, she keeps an open mind, looking forward to all that life throws her way. This year, she’ll be producing, slaying the fashion game, and hosting big events such as Miss World South Africa (for the second time).
I’m excited to unearthing beauty with a purpose, which is what the Miss World organisation is all about, and seeing our South African girls really take that stage and seeing what they can do with the platform.” So, if you’re looking to be absolutely moved and inspired, you might want to keep a close eye on Minnie Dlamini’s socials.
Keep up with Minnie
Instagram: @minniedlamini
Facebook: Minnie Dlamini
X: @MinnieDlamini
TikTok: MinnieDlamini
Website: beautifuldayproductions.com
Words by: Charndré Emma Kippie
