Virtuosic creative Ponahalo Mojapelo boasts a captivating resume that includes the caps supermodel, DJ, stylist, and writer, making it impossible to box her into only one facet of the arts. When the fashion connoisseur is not scribbling an article on Bubblegum Club, then she’s spinning the decks on big stages such as Rocking the Daisies, or on set striking poses for Vogue Magazine draped in head-to-toe Thebe Magugu.
Recently crowned the Most Stylish Model in Mzansi by the esteemed SA Style Awards, Ponahalo can be best described as, “a Queen who wears many crowns, with each one of them fitting her perfectly. Moreover, the fashionista has two other accolades for her eccentric style namely: Best Styled Individual at the Feather Awards, as well as Fashion Muse of the Year at the Fashion Industry Awards South Africa.
We have a chat with Ponahalo at the back of her Style Awards victory where she opens up about her modelling journey, personal style, aspirations for 2024, and more.
PREVIDAR: Congratulations on receiving the ‘Most Stylish Model’ accolade at the SA Style Awards! What was your initial reaction to receiving the award?
Ponahalo: I was shocked! When you spend so much time with your head down, working the hamster wheel, you forget to look up and smell the roses. My fashion sense is second nature to me; I wasn’t aware that it was something that people, especially industry leaders were impressed with and keeping an eye on. Over and above the shock, I felt really seen.
PREVIDAR: How did your modelling journey begin and what have been some of your career highlights?
Ponahalo: My modelling career began when a friend of mine was tasked with scouting models for a Nao Serati x Steers capsule collection fashion show back in 2018. I’d never done any kind of modelling before but I grabbed the attention of a few of the attendants and soon landed work with Viviers Studio and The Uniconz by the end of the year.
My career highlights are working with a brand I grew up gagging over in school – Maxhosa Africa for New York Fashion Week. Another highlight is my first time in Vogue at 19 with Thebe Magugu and being flown to Paris to work with him as well. Lastly, my ultimate highlight is gracing the cover of DAZED Magazine.
PREVIDAR: You are a fashionista of note (with accolades to prove it). How did your passion for fashion come about?
Ponahalo: My passion was definitely fuelled by my mother – a hard-working, single woman who never let tough times get in the way of turning out a look. Good clothes took almost as much priority as basic needs in our home. She taught me about having a base look and embellishing it with different statement pieces to create a brand-new outfit. She taught me that good style doesn’t need a big budget but a keen eye. She was ultimately my first-ever stylist – I was the envy of cousins at family gatherings and schoolmates on civvies days growing up.
PREVIDAR: Aside from being a fashion enthusiast, you’re also a DJ and a music lover. Has this always been part of the grand plan for you and how has your journey been in that regard?
Ponahalo: My family is incredibly musical – I don’t recall a time in the house when there wasn’t a lull of music in the background or chatter about attending concerts, artistry, and music production. I was music captain at my school in Australia and I knew I’d grow up to join the music industry in some way but I wasn’t sure how. I could sing, write, and play instruments.
My choice to DJ was somewhat circumstantial and over time, DJing grew into a great love of mine. I started learning in 2019 and at the time, my mother was ill and I had to find my own means to make money while I went to school. My love for the craft grew deeper when I no longer did it for survival and I had the freedom to play songs for my community of queer people and black youth. It’s a career that’s taken me to places I’d never dreamt of and introduced me to people who’ve changed the course of my life. I guess you could say DJing saved me in more ways than one.
PREVIDAR: How would you describe your personal style?
Ponahalo: “Fashion Chameleon” is the best description of my style. I adopt a variety of styles and trends into my looks and each day it’s giving something new – something it wasn’t giving the day before. I would say my go-to style on a mild day is a combination of preppy and maximalist but I’m not confined to those boxes.
PREVIDAR: If you could only wear one pair of shoes for the rest of your life, which ones would it be?
Ponahalo: Kitten heels.
PREVIDAR: South Africa has a plethora of great fashion designers. Who are your favourite local fashion designers?
Ponahalo: Afrogrunge, Mmuso Maxwell and Wanda Lephoto.
PREVIDAR: What is your go-to fashion accessory at the moment?
Ponahalo: Body chains!
PREVIDAR: What advice would you give to younger models who want to make a name for themselves in the fashion industry?
Ponahalo: Do lots of photoshoots, put yourself out there, and shoot your shot to as many agencies and brands as possible. Stay the course because there’ll be a lot of unpaid or underpaid work but it gets better once your portfolio is strong and extensive.
PREVIDAR: What can we expect from Ponahalo in 2024?
Ponahalo: It’s difficult to have a set plan as a creative freelancer but I’m hopeful for international travel; global DJing debuts, more international modelling work, earning in different currencies, and working my way up the ranks outside of the country.