VRYHEID KZN: Vryheid’s very own model on a mission

Philani Rome Zondo (29) is making moves in the world of body fitness and modelling. This young man grew up in Vryheid and attended primary school in Nardini before matriculating from Vryheid High School.

Philani says he was just a ‘normal, ordinary kid’ while growing up and mentions that he enjoyed playing sports at school

. “Although I have more achievements in athletics, I enjoyed playing soccer the most, but people did not focus much on football. It was only played occasionally. I enjoyed rugby as well,” he recalls.

After high school, Philani went to Durban to study IT for three years and managed to obtain a diploma. While studying IT, he was also studying Graphic Design at another private college, for which he received a certificate. “I remember back in 2013, I entered my first competition for modelling at school for ‘Mr Damelin’. At the time, my body was building up muscles as I was playing rugby. My peers convinced me to enter and I did, but unfortunately I did not win. In 2015, I gave it another shot and that time, I was well prepared. I had confidence and had gotten used to the crowd; I was not shy and I won, taking the title of ‘Mr Damelin 2015’. I was thrilled!”

Philani seems to be a man who is not scared of taking risks, as he enters a lot of competitions. In 2016, he was the face of KZN; he won ‘Mr Pinetown’; and that same year, he also took the title of ‘Mr Ekasi KZN’. He says winning Mr Ekasi was different for him, as it was not just being on stage but also involved charity work, helping and giving back to the community. “I would describe the year 2016 as ‘ground-breaking’. I was on a mission and I had faith in myself, though not everyone was happy for me. There was a commotion among the other finalists, saying that I was getting favours, but I just did my thing.”

In 2017, he won ‘Mr KZN’ and ‘Mr Ushaka’ at Ushaka Marine World in Durban. He says that modelling caught him off guard, as he did not plan on being a model. “I am not a person who’s all out there, if you know what I mean, but I do enjoy being on stage and being the centre of attention; wowing the crowd for that moment.”

This year, he is working on the ‘Spadille’ clothing brand with his partners and also being a fitness model. He says that, in November, he is planning on getting his pro card. He has five competitions this year, the first being Provincial Gauteng. If he wins, he gets to participate in the South African National Championship; then it will be international. He will also participate in the Fitness Runway South Africa, where it’s a combination of modelling and body building. Then the last competition will be the Arnold Classic Africa, which is a body building competition. Philani says he likes to ‘chill’ in his spare time. He reads a lot, as he wants to expand his knowledge, and gym is like his second home.

“If I am on season, I go for more protein and less carbs, and if it is the last week before a competition, it’s strictly no carbs – just protein and distilled water. When I’m off season, I get to eat everything and that is usually in December time,” he says laughingly. “I would like to say to someone who wants to become a fitness model or a body builder, the start is the most important – the rest you will learn along the way. Be motivated to start and be determined.”

ALSO READ:VRYHEID KZN: Local dancers heat up the stage at KZN competition

Make sure you follow us on our social media platforms for regular updates