Tell me a bit about your background(focusing more on what happened after you left high school)

After I left high school I took what seemed like a gap year in an effort to ease myself into the real world and even though I did not cosine initially, I ended up using the rest of that year to improve my marks because my mother strongly suggested it.

My main subjects in high school where Physics and Mathematics and because I was doing so well in both, I became deeply caught up in the idea of being an engineer and there was really nothing that anyone could do to convince me otherwise because in my mind the seed had already been planted.

 I was later accepted in the University of Vaal and had my first formal introduction to Engineering however to my disappointment my obsession for this glorious career which I had long associated my future with came to a sour end when I (and everybody around me) realized my true calling. From the way I carried myself to how accordingly I dressed, there was no possible way of hiding this talent that was nested in me, it was so obvious that I recall an occasion where my lecturer told me in her own words: “You don't belong here”.

And so I dropped out passing through different loops which I also found hard to commit to because they just weren’t meant for me.

How did the inception of your career come about? -Describe any Pull or Push factor unique your scenario that encouraged you to start modelling

Besides being born with fundamental qualities like my body, illuminating attitude and most importantly my flamboyant lingering personality, there was never a defined pull or push factor that influenced me to embark on this career. I however admit that I used to infrequently research models when I was a child and did not really understand how it worked and what it took to get there, but ironically as I grew up and lost interest in it, for some reason, it all came flooding back into my life. Modelling found me.

Are you under any modelling agency? And what is their role in your career?

I am currently being represented by a lady called Lydia who owns an agency called Fabulous Models.

Fabulous Models is gradually growing at a healthy rate and even though it remains a fact that I could very well be exposed to broader opportunities if I were to branch out to a bigger agency, I rather grew to like our prioritized personal-work relationship we have together with my agency and I believe that if I was to jump to a bigger agency all of that would disappear because unlike at Fabulous Models, I would receive divided attention.

If anything Lydia is my best friend and source of motivation and focus. She manages my portfolio, perfects my zen cards, books my shoots, picks me up for my appointments, picks the right look for me for different shoots, she basically makes my work feel more like of a walk in the park.

What is your payment agreement (fix contract or do you get aid per gig)

I had prior signed a contractual agreement with her back when I used to be her only model and at that point the agency had a different name, as time passed and due to changes in business procedures the contract lost its relevance and we reached a consensus that I should get paid per project I do.

This was a great decision and I have since seen more revenue through this method because in modelling there is a variety of fields that one can get summoned to and so I am able to respond to and simultaneously get compensated for different calls like fitting, runway walking and photo shoots

Do you have a full time job elsewhere?

I don't have a job.

I run Zen-Glorious which is a beauty spar specializing in make up, nails, hair and since my recent expansion I was finally able to make capacity for full body massages and move it a step closer to an empire which I want it to one day be.

Born leaders don't function well when they are told what to do and after failing to adapt in formal work environments where I was expected to receive instructions, I decided to erect Zen-Glorious.

Where do you harness your confidence from?

Many people would agree that I grew up an ugly girl and I vividly remember being chosen last most of the time and how I obsessed about wanting to wear the nicest clothes or having boys pursue me like every other female child but that never happened.

Knowing the exact page numbers where I would find them, I was recently perusing through Bona Magazine when I came across a couple of pictures which I had taken a week before, and it is at that moment in history that I had an epiphany! Every thing that I had dreamed of as a child had come true.

Not only am I able to dress how I feel but also have a flock of men trailing behind me....//As she laughs//

Family plays a large role in my life and without my mother in my life it is really hard to imagine where I would be today. She honestly has no interesting in modelling or what so ever but supports and guides me in everything I do. With her by my side I will forever be, as I have always been extremely confident.

Define beauty and what it means to you?

My beauty comes from within, I get a lot of women who's interest is for me to artistically provide them with external beauty and as expected, I give them my best performance but however I still believe that beauty is skin deep.

Designers love me not only because I know how to walk their clothes but also because of the energy and life that I bring every time I work their shows. My presence truly lingers on and nine times out of ten people describe me as bubbly and flamboyant. These are attributes that come effortlessly from within me because they define who I am, beautiful inside and out.

What has been your biggest obstacles and failures thus far and what keeps you motivated to keep on moving?

Well as you know, the modelling industry can be a dangerous place and if you are not cautious you will find yourself in compromising situations that are hard to get out of. Luckily through-out all of my bad encounters like having my pictures posted on facebook after they were taken without my consent or acknowledgement in the locker room, not getting paid, disappearance of pictures and more, I' was still able to gather enough strength to see me through and learn from them.

I have a daily urge to do more because as it is widely known, modelling is a very short career.

Which big modelling companies, or brands do you hope to work with in the future?

I have nothing against South African brands and designers, I just happen to have a personal and overwhelming interest for these two designers and their brands:

Stephene Rollownd

CocoChannel

What do you see leaking in the youth in this current space in time and what makes you different? 

 

When I look around I notice the scarcity of self reliance within a lot of people and most the youth.

What is your message to the youth?

Learn to believe in your own abilities and just take a chance. Vuka uzi yenzele

How can the world get in touch with you?

facebook.com/zenobuhle.mbumbe

076 177 7763

@zenglorious