BY PHUMZILE NDLOVU
MBABANE: Move over Naomi Campbell!
Top Models is calling all aspiring models to audition next month for the upcoming Fashion Runway Model.
Founder and CEO of Top Models, Mbalehle Manana, shared with this publication that we are looking for models who will get a chance to participate in runaways outside our shores. It is worth mentioning that the venue of the auditions is still yet to be confirmed; otherwise, it will be held on January 20.
When reached for comment, Manana said, “Well, we’re planning to do auditions (model calls) next month for Fashion Runway Models and World Stage Pageants. We will then have a boot camp and master class for the models with Snowee and other industry fashion gurus, ” said Manana.
She went on to say, “I want to give it a try and go full force with World Stage Pageants (WSP) since here in Eswatini we don’t have such; we don’t have models or queens who participate in representing Eswatini; only our neighbouring countries do that, especially South Africa (SA), by putting Africa on the map.”
According to Manana, SA has done well with pageants such as Miss World, Miss Universe, and Miss Supranational, including Botswana. “In my view, Eswatini has produced great models, like Nolwazi Snowee Simelane. She has won Eswatini Best Model 2018 and in 2019,” shared Manana.
She went on to add that Snowee became the best supermodel in Africa through Top Models, which groomed her and played a part in making her an outstanding model. She later joined the international modelling agency Clavon Models, which took her to another level.
“By partnering with Eswatini Biggest Braai in 2022, we have seen more national events approaching us to host a fashion show with them. More International Fashion Week’s want to work with us now in Eswatini by bringing their Fashion Weeks. For example, Fashion Without Borders has one in Botswana, the DRC, and SA; they want one in our country. So far, we have partnered with Lesotho MCT Entertainment and Zambia Modelling Agency; their models are signed under Top Models Eswatini,” shared the CEO.
Manana went on to share with this publication that in October she worked with a Nigerian agency and other fashion gurus across Africa, namely Lindiwe Gigaba, Lorraine Kiljakic, and Her Royal Highness Ronke.
