Talu is a model with a purpose

Exauce Talu aspires to influence other young women to chase their dreams regardless of the hurdles which could be holding them back.

The 20-year-old model from Highlands North is passionate about beauty and pageants and recalled how she defied the odds to follow her dreams.

She said she grew up in an environment where she was told that she was too black and couldn’t compete in modelling.

Talu added that her family’s failure to believe in her gave her more determination to join the beauty and pageant fraternity and allowed her to live her biggest dream of being a unique model. After being rejected by three modelling agencies, Talu didn’t give up on her dream and in May last year she was eventually accepted by a modelling agency, Sister Rising Model and Talent Management Agency.

She said her height, 1.69m, had disadvantaged her from modelling in fashion shows and commercial castings, which she believed had also influenced other agencies to reject her. “I am a photogenic model. Mostly since I am a feminine young woman full of humanity, humble towards my community, confident and proud of my scars, I discovered that I am a beauty pageants model,” she said.

Talu who is currently studying an FET Certificate in Marketing at Damelin College said her journey had been amazing from the beginning.

“I have managed to work with amazing designers and designing agencies such as Cathy Mbemba who owns Cathy Design, Nathalie Zulu, Ever Design and Unalisa Design.”

Through her modelling agency, Mtalu was selected to participate in the Miss Spring Jozi 2018 where she reached the top five. This year she took part in the Miss All Nations SA 2019 but is still waiting for the results.

She had also auditioned for Miss Francophone SA 2019 in which she reached the top 12 but didn’t make it in the end. “The biggest lesson I’ve learnt from this experience is to never give up on yourself, your dreams, no matter how many times you are rejected.”

Following her own advice, she was crowned Miss Brakpan 2019 first princess and was also crowned Miss Confidence. “Like I always say, think like a queen who is not afraid to fail. Failure is another stepping stone to greatness. Knowing your purpose in life and discovering yourself in every downfall should be your achievements.”

The former Waverley Girls’ High School learner said her modelling career allowed her to meet new people and share her story with other phenomenal young women to inspire them.

Other than her modelling career, Talu is a teens coordinator in church and she often visits orphanages, homeless centres and hospitals during her spare time for charity work.

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https://northeasterntribune.co.za/234807/miss-sa-advises-aspirants/