Malawian to model for Toyota SA
Malawian model, Thembi Zimba, has been selected to model for top motor brands Toyota and Nissan at next month’s Johannesburg International Motor Show in South Africa.
However, since the dates for promotion of the brands clash—both are taking place from 16 to 27 October, Thembi has opted for Toyota.
Speaking from Cape Town, where she is currently based, Thembi said she was picked to represent the two brands after castings with her two agencies, The Promo and Glamour Modelling.
“First The Promo Agency, which is a promotional modelling agency, posted for casting for the Johannesburg International Motor show, the client was Nissan. The casting was in Johannesburg and I booked out of Cape Town to attend the casting.”
Thembi said she did her homework thoroughly that when she was asked to explain Nissan models, she impressed them more than any other model at the casting
“They were impressed with that. I had no doubt I would land the deal,” she said.
While she was still absorbing the news from The Promo, Glamour Modelling Agency invited her for the Johannesburg Motor Show casting but this time, the client was Toyota.
“It was a gamble but I believe as a model one has to throw the dice and see where it lands you. The client loved my portfolio.
“What’s so exciting is that I will be promoting 2014 models. I am responsible for the image of the brand,” she said.
However, Thembi who is studying public relations at Cape Peninsula University, could not disclose how much she will pocket out of the deal.
“Oh! I’m afraid if I tell my parents they will not give me pocket money.”
Born and raised in Blantyre, Thembi started modelling in 2010 through promotion of brands.
Her first job was with BBGL under Dzuwa Media. From there, she worked with Airtel, then Zain, but still under Dzuwa Media.
Thembi met what was to become her first agent IIze, at a Cape Town restaurant.
“I walked past her and a group of friends. She called me and asked where I was from. I told her I come from Malawi and then she told me that she has and would love to have me,” she explained.
A week later, she got her first paying job as model when HTC Smart Phone signed her as brand ambassador and promotional model.
“I was under Niveau Promotions and I featured in an Exclamation Commercial with America’s next top model, Ebony. I worked with Mweb, Promenade Mall Awards, Niveau itself promoting it and I am still in her books to present,” she said.
She then came back home where she continued her modelling ambitions.
She explained that she came home for internship at Carlsberg Malawi for Fifa Promotion under Dzuwa Media. She also worked with Airtel and KIA Motors while still on internship.
“I landed my first fashion modelling job as a ramp model for Malawi Fashion Week. When I returned to Cape Town I signed with Glamour Modelling Agency. This is the agency that landed me the Toyota deal.”
How does she see herself as a model in the next few years?
“Bigger! I want to work with more brands, do more runway shows which means having more designers’ names to my portfolio and I would love to see myself on a billboard some day,” explained Thembi.
