Home | Entertainment | THE MODEL WHO DOES NOT DIET!

THE MODEL WHO DOES NOT DIET!

28/04/2018 08:08:00 BY PHUMELELE MKHONTA

Font size:

All the way from Lavumisa, the hottest part of the Shiselweni region, supermodel Thandiwe Dlamini is making waves in South and she does not ‘fast’ to look super gorgeous and keep her model figure.
It has been believed that models have to watch their diet, some even starving and getting anorexia and bulimic conditions, to keep up with the ‘harsh’ world of modelling.

Fortunately, for the Swazi born model is smooth sailing and she eats foods that she wants and craves with no limits and as she does this, she has not pressured herself to be on some diet to keep the flat stomach and lean thighs.
Her stunning body has landed her roles in the South African modelling industry and it’s all thanks to her food ‘resistant’ body.

“People cannot believe that I eat six times a day. Yes, I have my own ways to curb gaining weight but food is bae,” said the model in an interview with Gcwala.
Thandiwe left the country after being made the face of KFC and since then, she has never looked back. Her modelling career is glittering and GCWALA had an interesting chit chat with her.

Who is Thandiwe?

She is a shy lady from Lavumisa who became ambitious when she was exposed to the media. I am single mother to a four year old baby girl who is also a model now under May-May Productions in Johannesburg. I did Travel and Tourism Management at SCOT and obtained a Diploma in 2013. I’ve worked as a Travel Consultant at Glowing Tourism in Nelspruit shortly before moving to Johannesburg where I became an Independent Travelprenuer with a United States of America based Travel Club called World Ventures.

Has being a model affected your eating habits?

Actually, at first, I used to be very careful of what I inserted in my mouth and it never really helped as I, being an African woman, gained weight with age. I had not learnt the secret of not gaining weight, and most importantly, I had not learnt how my body operates. I have also lived the story of a ‘hungry’ model. With time and with exposure, I figured out what my body needs to keep slim, lean and fit. Now, I literally eat six times a day and I have not gained weight. In the same breath, I am not preaching for other models to try the same because different strategies work with different bodies.

What is your secret?

Herbalife happened to me. I had picked some weight after having a baby and just had some eating disorder. I could see my modelling career coming to an end. I joined Herbalife and started eating healthy again. I had so much energy for gym as well. I lost 14 kg in two months. Now they’ve also recruited me as one of the Global Wellness Coaches which I do part time. I’ve recently qualified as a Senior Consultant.

Besides being a model, what would you have opted for and why?
I have been recently shortlisted at Qatar Airways to be an air hostess. It’s relevant to what I’ve studied and done in the past years. I also had the right height, looks, attitude and energy for it. I also would love to travel the world easily for free.

What drew you to the runway world?
At first it was friends who had always suggested that I should try it. As soon as I finished school, I had worked closely in it until now.

Please explain your modelling background in Eswatini and how it grew.
I’ve done few Fashion Shows in Eswatini, my last was the SADC Fashion Week in 2016. Other than that I’ve been on a Bilboard for KFC in 2012.

South Africa, how did that come about?
My first attempt in South Africa was Africa’s Next Top model open castings that were held in Sandton 2013. Unfortunately I happened to not meet international standards that time because of my weight then. Oluchi didn’t even look at me. I fixed that and again applied for Top Model Africa which was held at Zimbabwe in 2016 in which I represented Swaziland very well. I was selected as the top six runway models for Soft n Free in 2017. Thereafter, I joined Miss Fashion Week Africa and only made it to the finalists. Later in 2017, I was scouted by Isis Models Africa as a runway and commercial model. With Isis, I have opened David Tlales Show at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, I’ve been casted for S.A Fashion Week and walked for the Spree. I’ve also done Soweto Fashion Week. I’m currently busy with my model book in preparation for New York Fashion Week in September 2018.

What projects have you been engaged to since being in SA, explain in full?
My current project is with Gold Models Group based in Hong Kong which is about scouting raw talents from the street in Africa. My photographer friend from Poland is strictly looking for new, unique faces to promote internationally. We are also sponsoring under privileged beautiful girls to get their model books together and I’m grooming them with the experience that I have. I’m currently working more as a model coach and model scout.

Where is your career headed and what are your prospects?
I’m becoming more famous though I’m also getting older. I’m looking at retiring in the next four years and I’ll focus more on helping other young aspiring models. I believe that way I can live my modelling dream forever.

List four things you can’t live without?
l Water, I get a terrible head ache if I don’t drink it
l Internet, most of my businesses are online so no internet no money for me
l Electricity, for my appliances.
l Love food, I’ve recently learnt to not eat less as a model but eat right. I eat six times a day.