By Obakeng Maje
A model is a person who is employed to promote, display, or advertise commercial products (notably fashion clothing) or to serve as a visual object for people who are creating works of art.
Modelling is normally considered to be different from other types of public performance, such as an acting, dancing or being a mime artist.
The boundary between modelling and performing is, however, not well defined, although such activities as appearing in a movie or a play are almost never labelled as modelling.
Our crew took time to speak to one of the most successful models in South African,Amantle Mokoubung.
Incomparable Mafikeng-born model shed more light about who the real Amantle Mokubung is, so setback and relax while beautiful and gorgeous Mokubung says it all.
A 25 year-old model was born in Mahikeng and said she was encouraged by her mom to become a model. Amantle Mokubung was raised by a single parent as her father passed on while she was only two.
“I was raised by my mom as my father passed away while I was only two. I drew my inspiration from my mom” Amantle said.
Mokubung said she was teased a lot at primary and high school because of her skin condition(acne).
“Deep down I thought it will be cool if one day I could appear in a magazine. While studying towards my degree, I started to contact the fashion editors of small publications until I landed my first shoot” she smiles.
She said her first shoot was the most amazing thing ever and it made her feel prettier than ever even though it was short.
Mokubung said her mother is her role model.
“I know it sounds very clinche, but it is true. My mother taught me a lot of things. Remaining well-groomed, and how to handle myself in public was never an issue. Models are expected to look good at all times. My mother is the kind of a person who stops you when you step out of the house, either because one side of your dress isn’t properly ironed, your nail polish is chipped or your heels appear a bit ashy” said Mokubung.
Types of Modeling
Amantle said as a conservative person, her mother was very supportive and she first wanted to know what kind of modeling she gets herself into.
“I avoided lingerie and swimwear shoots. I grew up being a very independent, responsible and a hardworking child. I am glad that my mother allowed me to try all different options that I was exposed to, including modeling” said Amantle.
Amantle with a small waist and curves, representing a typical African woman said, a controversial size 0 debate in the industry will continue until we start seeing a true reflection shape and size of the typical African woman.
The media perceived modeling as is for only slender built people and this sometime leads young women to eating disorders in effort to live up to perception of beauty which has being painted by the industry.
As a full time Marketing Strategist, Amantle said a longer hours of sleep and more water will go a long way.
“I’ve been getting less sleep lately due to my new modeling commitments, but I try by all means to squeeze in naps whenever possible” she said.
What is needed to become a model?
Amantle shared her experience about become a model and how to make it through.”Get into it for right reasons, and plan ahead. Knowing the type of modeling which you wish to pursue helps you to channel your efforts in the right direction. Planning ahead will help one incoporate his/her future plans into modeling career” she said.
Education, Unemployment, Crime and Teenage pregnancy
Armed with BA degree in Marketing, Amantle stressed how important education is nowadays. “Education has always been and remain important in my ‘world’. My sister continues to remind me that one never stop learning. Whether it be through formal education, interacting with people from all walks of life or just generally”.
“In my previous job, I spent lunch-time mostly with cleaning staff. People never understood my ‘vibe’. Being part of “no sleep” generation allows us to work more in flexible working enviroments” she outlines.
Even though Amantle is not married nor having her own kids currently, she is seeing someone….so boys hold your horses.
“Balancing work (full time and part time) is very difficult and requires a person who understands the pressure of being in such a “hot” position. It means minimal sleep for me because I ensure that I am a present daughter, sister, partner and aunt, and still excel in everything that am involved in” said Amantle.
We asked Amantle about her take on socio-economic burning issues especially faced by youth. Mahikeng-born model pulls all stops when addressing this issue.
“It all boils down to choice. I have read numerous success stories about young entrepreneurs on portals such as Umsombuvu and have come to realise that as difficult as it may be to get a breakthrough in business, it is indeed possible” she said.
Amantle said the reality is that not all of us can get jobs, a part of population need to creat jobs.
“No one owes you anything, you owe it to yourself to be successful. Be creative, start something. We have enabling enviroment (technology and business funding institutions) but fail to make the most of it due to false entitlement issues” Amantle said.
Drug and Alcohol abuse, and Teenage pregnancy are also decisions that people make, she outlines.
“We tend to be irresponsible in choices we make and expect positive result in return” Amantle said.
Mokubung said most South Africans are good at playing the “guilt trip”.
“Because my father passed away” ten years later, the person still has not recovered from rough patch and has introduced certain life-style decisions as a coping mechanism, says Mokubung.
“The blame game needs to stop, and we need to spend more time understanding and involving the person that we are. Be firm, take a pen and write your future”
“When writing our future, we need to make sure that we work hard towards achieving what we wish for” concludes Amantle.
Amantle Mokubung is a seasoned model and worked in many projects. To have more information, you can visit her website on http://www.amantle.co.za
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