Local model heads for America
It was a dream come true for local model when she was given the opportunity to be head hunted in America.
A 22-year-old local model and media student from Centurion is on her way to a life changing experience in America where she hopes to be scouted by international agencies such as Sony and Disney Entertainment.
On 19 October 2013 Naledi Mokgele’s life changed when she was a contestant at the International Talent Showcase that took place at Montecasino, Johannesburg.
“From the dusty streets of Rocklands in Bloemfontein with no modelling experience whatsoever, and after being nurtured and groomed by Just You agency, I walked and performed with confidence, in front of hundreds of people and the international talent scouts. It felt amazing,” Mokgele said.
Soon after her performance she received a callback that she is one of the 120 people who have been scouted by Kim Myers, and given the opportunity to showcase her talent and represent South Africa in the upcoming Arts Convention 2014 that will take place in June in Orlando, Florida.
After that call, it occurred to her that dreams do come true if you believe. Mokgele dreams of being a locally and internationally recognised model like Candice Swanepoel.
Mokgele is also given the opportunity to attend workshops and seminars at the New York Film Academy. “I was over the moon. Going overseas, to me it was a far-fetched dream, but not impossible.”
At the Arts Convention, there will be between 50 and 60 international agents and agencies such as Disney entertainment, Sony BMG, New York Film Academy, MGM castings, to name but few. They are looking for fresh talent, and will be handing out bursary opportunities.
“I wish to be scouted at an international level, so I can grow and become a household brand, a story that will inspire someone. I want to do what I love and enjoy for the world, and the world to love what I will be doing,” she said.
Mokgele is a first year media student at Boston Media House and a part-time model and actress with Just You Artist and Model Management agencies. Her motto is patience because perseverance pay and giving up on your dreams is not an option.
“I am nervous and excited at the same time, this is the experience of a lifetime,” Mokgele said.
She knows that modelling is what she wants to do, as it makes her feel good about herself. “I love modelling because it boosts my confidence, keeps me focused and away from the troubles the youth battles with daily. To me the best part of modelling is the photo shoots, meeting new people, making new friends and doing fun stuff like fashion shows,” she said.
Mokgele has been modelling for a year now. It started when she had to take a break from school and figure out what she really wanted to study and while waiting to register and enroll for her studies in 2014. It has been a dream for her to be a model, hence she chose it to keep herself busy and focused.
“The frustrating part is that you do not get castings or being informed of casting at short notices,” she said honestly.
Mokgele, however, has her eyes set on the future. In five years she will be in the media industry as well as working as a model. She wants to be part of community initiatives and wish to start community projects with other youth volunteers to uplift her peers and create similar opportunities for smaller communities.
