Basetsana Kumalo knows that being a public figure has its pros and cons, but she will not be disrespected
|||Iol interviewed Basetsana Khumalo to get her side of the story with regards to Drum's reporter, Hopewell's text messages asking about the status of her health and why she was in hospital. Which she regards, as an intrusion into her personal life and health status.
The interview took place at the RedPepper Studios in her office. Basetsana received a text from Hopewell which read:
2016/05/20, 8:55:41 AM: Bassie: Good day Basetsana. It's Hopewell here from Drum Magazine. We hear that you were hospitalised. Is this true, how are you feeling now?How long have you been hospitised for?What's wrong?
To which she responded immediately and said:
2016/05/20, 8:55:49 AM: Bassie: Sawubona Hopewell, firstly let me address the tone of your message, and the temerity of the content and the audacity to think that you have the right to ask me about my medical health. You DON'T, but I will be courteous enough to respond to your invasive and intrusive message. As you are well aware, I broke my ankle on the 17th March and had to have 11 pins and screws including a plate inserted and had to be in a cast for a prolonged period, now that the cast is off, I have to start bearing weight on my foot still using crutches. I go for Physio at the Morningside Clinic Sports Medicine for pain management and foot rehabilitation.
She then sent another text message to the Editor of Drum Magazine which said:
2016/05/20, 8:55:23 AM: Bassie: Good evening Thandi,
I hope this message finds you in good health. I have to bring to your attention the conduct of one of your reporters, a Hopewell who in my opinion has overstepped the boundaries and completely disrespected me in a diabolical manner. I say this as an elder and a mother who is not only raising my own children but children of this nation. Lomfana akanayo inhlonipho Sisi, he is probably young enough to be my son, negating the essence of Drum, which in my younger days was the heartbeat of the African soul. I will send you his text that he sent yesterday and my subsequent response that I sent him today. I am too old to be disrespected by abantwana abangakhulisiwanga kahle.
With much respect and regards
Basetsana Kumalo
Bassie went on to speak about how they (Drum magazine) purported that she had undergone a failed liposuction procedure. She also gives a detailed description of the day she broke her ankle just minutes after dropping her son off at school. And how she plans on suing Drum Magazine for the leaked picture of her son. To read all about this, get a copy of the Sunday Independent this Sunday 22 May 2016.
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