- Q: If you were to define yourself in 3 words, what would those words be?
A: God fearing, visionary and hardworking.
- Q: In today’s world we recognize African public figures trying to raise the African voice to the world. Do you think Africa is appreciated and listened to enough in the world (especially through media)? And how are you planning to contribute into changing that perception as a brand?
A: Africa is listened to and appreciated only in matters concerning other economies, we are all aware that Africa gave birth to most gigantic economies especially those of western countries, for it is a continent full of resources. It has a limited voice because it encompasses developing countries. Using a realist theory, we know that the international arena is controlled by those who have economic and military power. A country’s economy often influences how it is viewed by the media, hence the world has a selective hearing for Africa.
As a brand, I am not only limited to modelling, I am a Law and International Relations student. The career I am studying towards to will enable me to become a international lawyer. Laws have power, for they create a sense of compulsion unto those whom they are created for, and being a model makes me a public figure. Having the two combined, will shape how the media views Africa, for I will be having an influence in the laws that will be created or laws that will help sustain peace, as a public figure in doing my job, the interests of the people will always be at heart which is something contrary to what African leaders have been deemed to represent because of factors like corruption.
- Q: What are the adversities of modeling you’ve experienced so far?
A: The adversities I have experienced is being approached by several individuals who have already made it in the media industry and promise me to assist me in receiving the recognition I deserve, only to find that they have hidden agendas. That on its own has helped me realize a need of having an agency.
- Q: What is currently your fashion style? Is it currently aligned with today’s fashion trend?
A: I have a very unique taste when it comes to fashion. It is not limited, its class combined with today’s fashion trend, and a bit of an African flavor in it!!
- Q: What has been your motivation to keep you going thus far?
A: The spirit of poverty within the black community has been filling me with the zeal to push beyond boundaries, to prove it to the nation that success can be achieved, and that poverty is a condition that can be changed.
- Q: Judging from your work ethic, where do you see yourself in a decade from now?
A: A decade from now I would have impacted many lives provided with the platforms such as Miss SA, Miss World and Miss Universe. These platforms will not only be for personal gain, but they will be useful into giving souls hope and faith that they too can become what they aspire to be.
- Q: Who are your role models, and why are they inspiring you so much?
A: I don’t have role models but I have people who keep me going. The mistake that we make as people is to imitate those who inspire us and we never give our beings a chance to be, and to prosper in our God given purpose.
The people who keep me going are those who aspire to make others better and to improve the livelihoods of those that have lost hope.
Over and above, the person who keeps me going is my mother, she has been a great parent and she deserves the best.
- Q: We took note that you possess exceptional leadership skills. What did it took to master them? And, how are you so understanding of different personalities that you work with?
A: A wise man once said that leaders are not made but they are born. With that said, I am a very influential person, I might have gained my influence through my academic performance but I believe it is something that I am graced with. I am able to work with different personalities because I understand that leadership is about serving. I must accommodate my constituencies in all dimensions. It is always easier to lead people who look up to you for leadership ( leading by example).
- Q: During your working hours, how do you usually resolve conflict? Do you compromise, compete, collaborate or accommodate?
A: We must first acknowledge that there are different types of conflicts, meaning that one can never have a single approach of dealing with different situations. Where I need to compromise I do, and even when I need to accommodate I do, same applies with all the mentioned forms of resolving conflict.
- Q: Aside from the modeling career, what more are you willing to expand to with your talents?
A: I have not yet decided, I like shooting one bird with one stone. It keeps me focused.
- Q: Where can your fans connect with you?
A: On my facebook, Sithembiso Madlebe
- Q: Any inspiring words to all those who are working on making their way into the modeling market?
A: You have the power to give meaning to what may seem meaningless. What you want is attainable, you must be strategic on how to get it.
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