KHWEZI NGWENYA: ONE OF SOUTH AFRICA’S TOP25 MODELS FOR 2012

            KHWEZI NGWENYA         Photo by: Yaseen

  Interview with Sakazi

 

As news came through that Khwezi Ngwenya has been chosen as one of South Africa’s Top25 Models for the 2012 Top Model Search campaign, Linda Sakazi Thwala took some time out to get to know this stunning modelling fashionista.

Arminda Nokhwezi Ngwenya, popularly known as Khwezi Ngwenya, was born in King Edward Hospital Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. She is a daughter of Andrias Ngoma Ngwenya and the late Jabu Kubheka. Her father is a migrant worker from Mozambique Maputo, and her mother is from Dundee, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

She has two sisters, Nolwandle and Lwandle, and half-brothers, Qiniso, Ayanda, Lungelo - and a half-sister Mpilo Ngwenya.

Q: When did it all start?

A: It all started formally in 2007 though I did my first show end of 2006 at the Durban playhouse.

I was trained by Models International Agency, I completed my Beginner, Intermediate and Advance Modelling Diploma in 2007. I've done fashion shows ,photo shoots, promotion and beauty pageants. I also dance Ballroom.

Q: What inspires Khwezi?

A: I find inspiration in more things than I can count, I'm inspired by any successful person , people that work hard and make something out of nothing, but what keeps me going the most lately are the young ladies and gents that love what I do, that inbox me on Facebook, Twitter and BBM, that ask for tips on how to get where I am. In actual fact I can’t see where I am in life , the only time a person realizes how far is when the next person tells you. Lastly, I work hard just to better my younger brother and sisters lives. I want them to be able to look up to me and be proud!! I love Tyra Banks work, I want to be the South African Tyra Banks if not better.

Q: What influences led you to pursue a fashion/ramp career?

A: As a teenager I had very low self esteem. I was always the tallest in my class and amongst my mates and I was very skinny and my dad would cut my hair really short. So I always felt like I didn't look as attractive as other kids. So one day in Matric I picked up a student newspaper "free4all" , they had an article of Models international class and a entry form. Then, I had just started my first job at the Hilton Hotel, filled in the form and sent it. I wanted to face my biggest fear then, to stand in front of people and have them judge me. I did 3 modelling courses "Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced" - I passed all three very well as was one of the better students in my class and then I took it from there. I had a lot of help and motivation. At that time I looked up to Nosipho Dlamini from Models International as she had won model of the year, 2007. She was also my teacher when I did my classes at models International…

Q: How many fashion campaigns have you been involved in, thus far?

A: I have done a lot of pageants which resulted in me winning 1st,2nd and 3rd place. I have done a lot of fashion shows. I have done many shoots as well as personal shoots. One that I'm seen around often is a hair shoot that I did in 2010 but I started seeing the posters in 2011 and 2012. I have done body painting for the Rugby Sharks campaign.

Some of the Fashion shows and beauty pageant that I have done include: Miss uShaka 2011; Miss Camlot 2008; Miss Durban 2008; Miss Durban 2009; Face of Coming Out Promotions 2007; Face of Revlon; Miss Tropica; Miss Vacca Mata; KZN top model of the year; Mr Price O31 fashion show; SMME Fashion Show; Durban July 2008 – present; Durban July pre-fashion shows 2011-present; Eastern Rendezvous ; KYD fashion shows and many more…

Magazines: Future Bride 2009 - 2010 edition and newspapers articles , Mag articles "Sharks Mag - Durban July 2010 - Slasher Girl"; Posters Hair Salons 2011-2012.

I get involved with community work "teaching girls how to model", judging pageants, eg: MR / Miss DUT inter-res , MR / Miss Mahlongwe in South Coast and many more.


Q: Is your fashion effort limited to ramps and photo-shoots only? Or do you also pursue spontaneous fashion advertising, e.g. Wearing a recently knitted dress to social event?

A: Its not limited. I'm spontaneous. I work with any idea that comes up. Most designers that I have worked with dress me for events that I attend and as well as doing community work judging pageants, e.g. MR/Miss DUT inter-res , MR/Miss Mahlongwe in south coast and many more.

Q: What’s the aim of it all – why modelling?

A: Modelling is a platform for me to change the way people think about models and modeling as an industry. It has taught me a lot as a person, helping me to gain confidence and appreciate people. It gave me the need of wanting to put a smile on someone else’s face, and that the smallest positive action you do to the next person can change the world. For me it does not end here, I'm still going to work twice as hard so I can influence more young people to be positive, confident, strong , to believe in themselves and that they should not forget that we serve an amazing GOD!

Q: Why so much ambition on fashion and modelling?

A: Modelling and ballroom dancing gave me sense of style in everything I do. It made me respect and love myself , also appreciate the unique way God has build me.

Q: Your motto in life?

A: I Live life for today as I never know what tomorrow will bring for me. I know that I am as happy as I make up my mind to be. I do justly, love mercy, I walk humbly with my God and I never stop smiling because, I never know who is falling in love with my smile. I Live, Love, Laugh and have lots of fun. In life one has to start somewhere, I don't let my past or up-bring define the person I am today.

Q: What type of movies and music inspire you?

A: Apart from horror flicks, I appreciate all genres of movies. Movies that expand on many themes. I listen to a bit of everything. I love instrumental music like jazz. I love meaningful music, in particular R&B, and I dance to house music.

Q: Do you cook ?

A: Yes I can cook and I do cook. In fact I love cooking , when I cook I go all out. I love cooking pasta, chicken and baking.

Q: Who’s your favourite author and genre of books?

A: At the moment I’m reading “Don’t waste your life” by JOHN PIPER, I’m enjoying it so much....I wanna get hold of MODEL LAND by Tyra Bank.  

Q: What are your favourite colours?

A: Green , black and gold .... I mostly have green nails , I love gold eye shadow "with natural colours", and I love wearing black and my hair is always black.

Khwezi attended Roseland Primary School in Newlands, Durban and attended Dundee Secondary High School after her mother’s death, before her and her family headed back to Durban where she finished her uniformed schooling at Futura High School.

She has a National Diploma in Information Technology , National Diploma in Systems Engineering and she is a Professional Model who spans her trade between Fashion Model "Ramp" , Photographic Model "Shoots", Beauty Pageants and Body Painting.

WORD TO KHWEZI NGWENYA’S MODELLING REVOLUTION 

Linda Sakazi Thwala 

Websites:
www.Khwezingwenya.co.za

www.topmodelsearch.co.za
khwezi.ngwenya@facebook.com


South Africa's Top Model finale will be happening on the 25th August 2012.

Linda Sakazi Twala