Glen Austin High School learner aspires to become a well-known fashion designer

Aysha Kunene, a Grade 11 learner at Glen Austin High School, describes herself as a confident young lady who expresses herself through how she dresses.

The 17-year-old teenager from Noordwyk, who is also a member of the Representative Council of Learners (RCL) says being a leader has taught her to be the voice for the voiceless, learn to take constructive criticism and learn from her own mistakes. “Being an RCL has taught me to work well with others, it has taught me to understand more than try to be understood so that I can lead people with clear understanding, respect and not belittle anyone. [School] is a place of second chances where you are allowed to grow and learn from your mistakes,” said Aysha.

Aysha, who scooped two awards earlier this year in engineering graphics and design as well as business studies, said she likes trying out new things.

“Outside class, I am the captain of the school’s netball team and an upcoming fashion designer. I have always loved fashion and expressing my uniqueness to the world and nothing does that more than what you wear. You know sometimes as a teenager when you don’t have something going on you feel like you don’t have purpose so in getting to know myself, I chose to take parts of myself and turn it into a career,” said Aysha.

She said her biggest motivation was her mother, sister and teacher only identified as Miss Ngobese.

“They told me my life’s purpose is being happy and doing what I love. Outside school, I would describe myself as a person who likes trying out new things and living their dream with what they have. I am confident and I express myself with how I dress, I would say I am a very kind energetic person who is also very optimistic,” she added.

Asked where she would like to see herself in the next five years, she said hopes to get into Future Excellence Design Institute South Africa (Fedisa) Fashion School, designing for prominent celebrities such as well-known fashion designer Rich Mnisi, Uncle Waffles, Thebe Magagu and Bonang Matheba locally while internationally working with Kanye West, Jason Bolden and Jeremiah Ogbodo better known as Swanky Jerry.

“I see myself being a fashion icon and even starting my design movement,” Aysha concluded.

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