By Agreement Mabunda
SEHLAKONG-Born and bred in Sehlakong Village, also known as Modjadjiheaskraal, Makobo Rakgwahla is a fashion, editorial, beauty, and commercial model.
A 24-year-old Makobo experienced continual bullying as a child because of her skin tone, even though she was aware of her differences from the other children.
“I was even bullied by some of my family members because I was called names when I was young”, she said.
Being bullied by peers and at home was a never-ending loop for her since she would occasionally leave school out of feeling ashamed of her skin tone.
“Kubie” as she is affectionally known in the industry was raised in a large family, surrounded by grandmother, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
“But my single mother was incredibly supportive and caring and constantly gave me the belief that she could succeed despite the harsh circumstances”
Growing up was particularly difficult for Makobo because she had such a low sense of self-worth, but when she was about 13 years old, she reclaimed her self-assurance thanks to her friend introduced her to reading and she immediately fell in love with it.
Through reading, she discovered how to declare her authority and transform into loving through the energy she wished to manifest in her life.
“Reading made me stand my ground when my peers were trying to bully me, even at high school because already I knew I was greater than my primary childhood, nothing was stronger enough to get to me because I had found my identity and practising what is called self-love”, said Makobo.
In 2017, Makobo was given the honour of receiving an invitation to participate in a photoshoot in Polokwane with three different photographers.
Through the shoot, she came to realize who she was since she was drawn to more editorial photographs.
She received an invitation from Mosa Mailula a year later, which was undoubtedly intended to get her ready for the real world.
After the photo shoot, she was signed as a professional model in 2020, and she was able to walk in places she could only have imagined as a child.
I met and shared the stage with several incredible celebrities, fellow models, fashion designers and captains of the industry.
Makobo put a lot of effort into all of the campaigns she was a part of, which made her even more pleased with where she is now.
Makobo is presently signed with Boss Models, and she has a true love magazine feature that will be available on shelves for four (4) months beginning in the second week of July.
To give back to her community, Makobo wishes to mentor and assist other young girls who wish to do modelling to attend her Modeling master sessions with Maboko that will be held in Tzaneen/Polokwane.
Those who are interested can call 0733249287.
#TzaneenVoice
