Interview with Lerato Malatji

- Nubian Samurai - 

Interview with Lerato Malatji

In a world where beauty meets brains, this girl sure knows how to stay gracious while flaunting her wits. Lerato Malatji is an I AM WOMAN ambassador, ReBasadi event’s manager, she was a Miss Earth regional finalist in 2016, a model for various local brands and now model and face of local crochet and knitwear brand RVL. Originally from Orange Farm in Drieziek One, she came to the big city after matriculating in 2012 to further her studies in a 3 year course that she says took her 5 years to complete. She studied Information Management at the University of Johannesburg in Auckland Park, while also managing her career in modelling. She was raised by a single mother who didn’t quote understand Lerato’s passion for modelling until much later in their relationship. “I couldnt explain it to her properly as to what I wanted to do because I didnt fully understand it myself and I believe that had a lot to do with the lack of knowledge about what I wanted to get myself into.” We met up with the chocolate browny to find out more about her and her inspiring career.

    1. Who is Lerato Malatji. What does she do and where is she from?

Simply, a catalyst for positive change continuously involved in projects that transform individuals’ lives, be it a simple change of perspective about a certain issue or introducing a certain light on a topic that affects communities. I do all of that through beauty pageants, mentoring and being involved in youth led organisations, and with all of that I still squeeze my modelling career and my student life as an Information Management (also known as Competitive Intelligence) final year student. I rep my neighbourhood 24/7 I am from the dusty streets of Orange farm.                   

2. When did you know that you wanted to become a model?

In high school, although initially I wanted to be a tv presenter because I loved reading ( and liked the sound of my voice when doing so), but the defining moment for me was in 9th grade. Going through insecurities of my dark skintone I wanted to be on magazines just to get back at all the bullying I got for my skintone. Funny enough the bullying I got was not from school but home.

3. What are some of the challenges you face being in the modelling industry and also being on the come-up?

Being authentic in an industry that has turned simple lives into performances and unfortunately that is what gets recognition from well known brands, and sometimes being genuine and real about who you are does not get praises. “Models” today ACCORDING TO ME are social media influencers and very few professional models are getting the jobs that they truly deserve. So in the midst of all of that I find it to be difficult being only known for your work as a professional model and not being put in a box of social media likes and that being used as a rank. 

4. You were a finalist for Miss Earth S.A. - tell us about that.

I will forever be grateful to the Miss Earth SA organisers for the life long lessons they have given me, I now have my earth sisters that I can call anytime for a quick chat or invite to  cleanups in my neighbourhood. Miss Earth SA is not by any chance a beauty pageant but its an empowering plartform that equips young women with leadership skills that they can use to make better decisions on living a sustainable life and also leading a sustainable country. I was given a cleanup task in my community and it was a success, I was blown away by the fact that I could have discussions with leaders in my community and that they actually listened to what I had to say.

5. What did it mean for you to be a part of that sort of initiative?

It meant I had the power to influence and also plant a seed of a sustainable life and also taking care of the environment. 

   6. Does it get competitive when you’re in that sort of space or are the finalists genuinely supportive   of one another?

Personally, there is freedom in authenticity so every finalist brings something different to the table, meaning there could never be any sense of competition, although it is a competition by nature - but by the time of the finale we are just a team trying to get through the glamourous night without anyone of us tripping on stage. (Hahaha) 

7. How many pageants have you entered and how do you feel you have grown from those experiences?

Four, and it’s such a small number because I enter pageants that have substance and I know will give me the platform to advocate issues that affect humanity. As much as I enter these pageants to inflict change in my surroundings it is again for personal growth as a young woman. I am more open minded, I now do things that are worth doing and do them right.

8. Do you feel that pageants often promote more beauty than brains or do you feel that there is a balance of both?

Definitely a strong NO, beauty is a healthy body and mind so yes there is a balance between the two. A beautiful mind is of an intellect and and an indivual that can reason. A beautiful body is a healthy body meaning taking care of yourself will be evident in the way you look.                     

9. What does it take to be in the forefront of modelling? 

A thick skin, never taking the criticism and constant rejection personally.        

10. You’re the event’s manager for Re Basadi which is a women empowerment organisation that aims to get women involved in business. Tell us about how you get involved with them.

The whole concept behind Re Basadi is collaboration amongst young women in business. My role therefore is organising events that will facilitate the promotion and collaborations of different businesses through talks, seminars and market days. 

11. Which other projects are you involved in?

I’m currently part of Lonwabo Lesizwe which is a youth ran NPO that has now launched I AM A WOMEN programme. The aim of this movement is to create an open social movement by restoring dignity of women in our societies by creating movements platforms for women to express themselves regarding social issues they face in their everyday lives and deal with them in a collective way

12. Who are your favourite models, male & female, local & international?

I am inspired by Ntsiki Mkhize and Jade Hubner’s work on and off camera. They were both part of Miss South Africa and have since used the platform to create respected personal brands and I just love that about them.

13. Who are some of the brands you’ve worked with?

I’d love to mention a long list but I am still climbing that ladder. I am the new face of RVL which I’m extremely excited about.

14. If you had to win Miss South Africa, Miss Earth or Miss World, what are some of the issues you’d tackle in our society?

Psychological services needs to be accessible to all. A lot of issues we come across on the news and social media have a lot to do with a scarred society.

15. Besides looking good in front of the camera, what do you like doing during your free time?

I love working on the garden :). I wish I had a bigger garden at home and even have dreams about it hahaha. I would love to study toward an agriculture course and I’m still contemplating about it. Nature is so beautiful and owning a farm would be a dream come true.

16. What’s your take on the current state of fashion in South Africa?

We are definitely owning our own fashion in a sense that we’re no longer inspired by international trends and are very supportive of local designers especially from well known individuals.

17. Does your love for nature fall into how yo choose to make yourself look and feel. Do you use make up even when you’re off camera?

Im trying so hard not to fit in this weave, long nails, makeup on fleek vibe via models especially in pageants. I was Miss SA top30 last year but pulled out because I saw how fake and not authentic I was gonna be. I also put on make up but I didnt want that one side narrow situation at Miss SA. There needs to be diff representation of women, and I feel like I need to introduce that. 

18. What are your must-have items?

Skincare products! I love my skin and any product that makes my skin glow I need to have. I love handbags and coats and still gathering a good fortune to have a good collection of those :).

19. Who inspires your fashion sense?

I dont have a specific person that inspires my fashion sense, I dress what I feel so my mood have a lot to do with how I dress daily, although I do draw inspiration from latest trends when I do shopping sometimes.

20. What does revolution mean to you? 

Revolution to me is constant change and willingness to take risks.

Revolution Validates Life #RVLMedia