It's a balmy autumn evening as I chat with Bonang Matheba.

We enjoy the delightful Johannesburg sunset at the five-star Four Seasons Hotel with sweeping views of the man-made forest of the city's northern suburbs.

She is a vision in a gothic glamour look consisting of a black floral appliqué sheer cocktail dress. Breeze runs through her lush hair as she describes her fashion style in three simple words: "Timeless, classic and elegant."

She has a camera crew following her every move. Fans will get a closer look at the elusive superstar when her new reality show Being Bonang debuts in July on Vuzu AMP.

The TV and radio darling turns 30 in June and she can hardly contain her excitement about what she has mapped out.

She plans to throw a lavish birthday shindig that is fit for a queen, come June 25.

"It's going to be one hell of a soirée. Think of people dangling from the roof. It's going to be like a wedding. Imagine the best wedding you have ever been to and then triple it by 20," Matheba joked.

Queen B, who is dating rapper AKA, adds that on the verge of turning 30 she is the happiest she has ever been in her life.

"I'm content, fulfilled, happy and at peace. I'm just paying it forward. My life has just come together so beautifully. My family is happy, my relationship is incredible and my career is flourishing," Matheba reflects.

She has spent almost half of her life in the public eye as she celebrates 14 years in the entertainment industry this year.

Next month, fans will finally learn of the secrets behind her success when she releases her much-anticipated how-to book Bonang Matheba: From A to B. She teases that she will also detail juicy titbits about her life that have never been heard of.

"The book is about the journey of Bonang, how I got to where I am and how I built this massive brand.

"There are some intimate moments of my life in there too - how I grew up, things that have shaped the woman that I am, whether publicly or privately," Matheba points out.

"I am a private person, so I struggled with sharing and going public with my deep private things. But I had to do it; I had to leave my soul on the page. I just want people to be left inspired after reading my book.

"There are lots of jaw-dropping moments. Things that I have never shared with people."

Tomorrow night, Matheba hosts the E! Africa red carpet at the 11th annual South African Film and Television Awards (Saftas). She will be joined by newly-minted E! Entertainment presenter Katlego "Kat" Sinivasan as co-host.

Matheba exclusively revealed to Time Out that she will be wearing a champagne hand-beaded gown designed by Capetonian couturier Warrick Gautier.

"I just said to him I want a different red carpet fashion moment. But also it's not about me.

"I'm going to be there interviewing the stars and nominees," she says.

"Above all, the gown is comfortable. I'm at a point where I just want to wear comfortable dresses because nights are so long. I want to be able to just take it off with ease."

tjiyae@timesmedia.co.za