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PULSE MODELS’ TOWERING GEM!

06/05/2017 08:23:00 BY NONDUMISO MSIBI

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Towering beauty Tem-azulu Dlamini, who is signed by Pulse Models, is one confident young lady who is clear about what she wants in life.

She is not just passionate about modelling but about people as well. Known to her close pals as Tez or Nonhlanhla, she was born in Mbabane in the late 90s, but spent most of her childhood in-between Siteki and Ezulwini.
Educationally, she is a product of KaBoyce High and Malkerns Valley Schools, and will be starting her tertiary studies in August.

Gcwala caught up with Tez for a chit-chat about her modelling career, and we enjoyed her frankness.

How did you get to join Pulse Models?
I heard that there was a new modelling agency that was going to be conducting its inaugural auditions and that all sizes were welcome.
That was a first for me because the perception has always been that models should have a very tiny physique and must be tall in structure.
Also, on several occasions, I had been confronted by friends and random people that I should consider modelling and some thought that I was already a model. So I can safely say the auditions came at the right time for me, as I got selected on both auditions Pulse held.

What’s different about you?
Well, because I am an up-and-coming model, and the fact that Pulse Models is still a new brand, I am still breaking new grounds trying to put myself and my work out there. I have so much zeal, interesting ideas, excitement as well as so much jaw-dropping work I plan on engaging myself into, all aligned with my name. I believe I am young, fresh, eccentric and ambitious. Not to mention that I have goals and I am a walking fireball myself. With that said, I am fully becoming aware and well groomed for the modelling game day by day. Nothing beats believing in your abilities, shooting for the stars and franky working through your goals as an individual and that I can only achieve as much as I give to the things I have passion for. Therefore, I am patiently waiting to unpack the pieces of me I put into modelling and unravel my abilities. What you see is what you get. (Laughs).

Are you a ramp girl, fashion girl, or a cover girl?
As a complete model, I believe that I am supposed to specialise or equally be as good on almost all the categories modelling has to offer; be it on ramp, fashion wise, photography you name it. Unfortunately our Kingdom lacks the resources; both in terms of means and sponsorship for such an interesting industry. For instance, the number of fashion shows that profile the diversity of the modelling industry is very limited. Of course, one may hear of Bridal Expos, to name one, but that is not enough. There is so much more modelling has to offer. You then find that as a model you only specialise in photography because that would be the only thing that one’s surroundings have to offer. This creates a gap in the industry as well as among our local models as many of us are just limited to only that; meaning we are deprived of so many things including exposure, experience and professionalism. Drawing back to the question, at the moment I’m doing more of photography and fashion.

Advice to aspiring models
I’d encourage aspiring models to go out there and climb up the mountains. Modelling is fun when one is passionate about it. They must show the people of Swaziland that we have what it takes to compete with the world’s best. Also, we must support each other as much as possible. If you want to be an extraordinary model you need to be consistent and stay on top of your game at all times. Let your entrance in the industry be a show stopper moment, something people will never forget. Yes, we all have unique attributes so let’s use them to our advantage. Another vital factor is that as a model must be modest. Take care of yourself, love yourself and don’t drag your name in the dirt by the way you behave. Keep it catchy but neat. Aspiring models should also be careful when choosing agencies. Your agency brand carries weight and you do not want to be working with an agency with bad reputation or false impression. Make sure that everything they do they do it well, professionally, legally, and it’s not a scam. Most female models become so vulnerable to many roving eyes out there. I am glad to say at Pulse Models Swaziland, the management seeks the safety of its models first, and also encourages us to look out for ourselves. Lastly, for under-aged models, make sure you involve your parents when joining an agency so that they can support you and work together with that agency to groom your talent.

Who inspires you locally and internationally?
Well no offence to local trending models, but I always had a soft spot for the former Miss Swaziland Ayanda Dube. I liked her as a whole: her attitude, and how humble she was when she was still an active model. I still think she’s great. We do have many other good models in Swaziland. I also admire Coralee Vilakati, who’s not just beautiful but also making waves internationally .Now that’s something for her. You go girl! I also look up to my fellow sister Dalingcebo Dlamini who is also part of Pulse Models Swaziland and recently won Miss Culture at the Swaziland College Of Technology (SCOT),on her first year. My childhood international model has always been the South Sudanese-British model and designer Alek Wek. I was struck by her influence on the perception of beauty in the fashion industry as dark skinned models during her time were rare, if not unheard of. Jourdan Dunn is another one. Amazing women!

Where do you see yourself in five years?
I am not one to freely dish out my goals out there. Yes I have dreams and goals, so many of them such that sometimes they scare me. Just know that in the next five years I won’t be ordinary or mediocre. In due time, everything will fall into place. Speaking of modelling though, I hope to have influenced the industry in Swaziland in a massive way and to have achieved much here and across the world. One thing I am praying for is to have my current nail business up and running. My modelling career might as well help me nurse my passion for motivational speaking, singing and turn them into reality.