Nandipha Mqoco On Digital Entrepreneurship, MC’ing And Her Love For Fashion

Nandipha Mqoco / 24 / Digital Entrepreneur, Master of Ceremonies & Fashion Enthusiast

School Them: What’s a Digital Entrepreneur?

Someone who starts a business in the digital space. In my case it would be by means of content creation and endorsing products on my social media platforms.

Content Creation: What’s the process followers don’t know about?

A lot of planning and strategizing. Most of the content you see is curated but that process is where it gets fun, well most of the time.

New Year: What would you love to achieve in 2020?

Solidify existing brand relationships. Getting the opportunity to travel more for work as an MC and a Content Creator, collaborating with more international brands too. Being well on my way to achieving full financial independence.

Rewind: How did you get into the Digital and MC’ing space?

My digital career just happened to me. It definitely wasn’t intentional at all. I would post my outfits, places I would go to on my Instagram. My sisters and I would have impromptu shoots with street fashion photographers. In addition to that, my sister Yoliswa who had a bigger following, would also post me on her Instagram. Thereafter, my audience grew and brands started to take notice and the rest was history! My MC career was definitely intentional. I always had a passion for public speaking so it only made sense to turn my passion into a profit.

Fun Fact: Your sisters Yoliswa and Thobeka are also in the Social Media Influencer game, was this always the plan?

Not at all, we were just living our lives and sharing our love for fashion, beauty and lifestyle then BOOM!

Threads: You’re a very stylish girl, where’s the inspiration from?

Thank you so much! My relationship with fashion is VERY personal. I was surrounded by extremely stylish women (my mother and sisters) all my life. I would watch fashion TV all day, everyday. I drive my inspiration from many places. Thank God for the internet because it exposed me to amazing fashion from all across the globe, seeing how people interpret different styles and trends. London, Amsterdam, New York, Beijing, even good ol’ Cape Town right here in Mzansi. I really enjoy how the people dress there.

Brag a Bit: Biggest bag/s you’ve secured so far?

Revlon and Clinique have been the biggest bags for me.

Mzansi: Where do you enjoy spending your free time?

Get on a plane and fly to CAPE TOWN. For many reasons – my sister lives there, the food is amazing, the scenery is breathtaking. There’s just so much to do there! But if that isn’t possible then watching series, movies and documentaries in another favourite place of mine…MY BED, is a close second.

Wisdom: Some advice on how to stay relevant in the digital era?

C-O-N-S-I-S-T-E-N-C-Y

Follow Back: Where can new fans catch you on all platforms?

Instagram: nandipha_mqoco / Twitter: @nan_deep / Facebook: Nandipha

 

–Bridgette Makhela

Kim Jayde On Juggling All Her Titles, Her Trusted Mantra And Future Aspirations

Kimberley Jayde Robinson / 27 / MTV Base Africa TV Presenter / Model / Fashion & Travel Blogger 

How was it like for you growing up in Zimbabwe then having to move to South Africa?

I loved growing up in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. It was a small, safe town with a great sense of community. Cape Town, and now Johannesburg is the complete opposite! A fast-paced, big city with so much opportunity! It was definitely an adjustment moving here, but totally worth it for the career path that I am on right now.

You hold a few titles under your name, how does each title represent who you are?

Each title allows me to explore a different creative side of myself.  TV presenting allows me to work with people in entertainment, modelling allows me to take on various roles in TV commercials worldwide; from a Brazilian Samba dancer, to a Middle Eastern girl drinking Pepsi. The KimJayde blog allows me to travel and share beautiful places and experiences, as well as teach my followers about the fashion trends I’m loving at the moment. No two days are ever the same; that’s the beauty of wearing more than one career hat!

Did you ever imagine that you would have achieved this much at this age?

To be honest, my mum always tells me “I never stop to think about how far I’ve come and how much I’ve achieved.” I have my eye on so much more that I want to do. I look at the top women in the industry and that drives me to work harder and push even more. I’m so grateful for where I am now but I’m so focused on where I’m going, so watch this space!

Is there a downside that comes with being in this industry?

It’s a competitive one for sure. Only a select few get the opportunity to even be on TV, and to be on a platform like MTV is huge! The pressure to maintain a certain image in the public eye is something I have never dealt with before. Also, in the public eye, you are expected to be happy everyday. Should I have an off day, or go through a break-up, or anything like that, I still have to go to work, stand in front of the camera and be happy. So there are pros and cons to the job.

What’s your mantra to always stay focused?

“Dream big. Work Hard. Stay Humble.”

What’s the one item you can’t function without?

My cellphone.

Any other aspirations you dream of?

I am a qualified Social Worker (Honours Degree in Social Work from the University of Stellenbosch) and it’s in my ten-year plan to start my own non-profit organization that will empower women and children through skills, training and education.

2017 in one word so far?

Blessed.

How do you manage to give all your titles 100% each time? 

MTV Base Africa is my full-time job, I am also lucky enough to be able to blog when I have the time and inspiration to do so. Pace yourself, that way you can give it your all to create a quality product.

 

Follow Kim!

Instagram: @kimjayde

Twitter: @KimJaydeBlog

Facebook: Kim Jayde

 

–Bridgette Makhela

 

Kriya Gangiah On Being An Infotainment Professional At 27

Kriya Gangiah

27

Radio DJ / Television Presenter / Digital Leader at Kagiso Media

What does Kriya do for a living?

I work at Kagiso Media as a Digital Leader for Jacaranda FM and Zalebs. From Monday to Thursday I co-host the Late show on Jacaranda FM, then on Saturdays I am part of our listeners wake up call with the Saturday Breakfast show. In between all that, I get whisked away to various locations around the country and abroad to be filmed as one of the Television Presenters for the Mela show on SABC 3, which airs every week on Sundays.

You are known as an Infotainment Professional, how did you earn the title?

In the broadcast industry (particularly radio), my skill set doesn’t fall into just ‘news’, ‘business’ or ‘entertainment’, but rather encapsulates all of these. Add to this line of work is a career for me with years of experience in the industry already behind me and…voila! The title of ‘Infotainment Professional’ came into being.

What moment gave you your break into the industry?

My break into the industry began in 2007 when I joined TUKS FM while I was studying at the University of Pretoria. Ever since then, my love for the entertainment industry developed and allowed me to follow my current career path.

How do you juggle being a DJ and being on TV as well?

It’s tough sometimes, but I always try to strike a balance between the two. Luckily with the way technology is these days, my cellphone has become my own personal PA that helps me keep track as far as scheduling is concerned so I can avoid any conflict.

What keeps you going each day no mater what?

It’s definitely my passion for the industry and people that keeps me going. The fact that I get paid to talk makes it such a fun career, it never feels like a job! My family and friends are also a big part of keeping me grounded and focused. I have a very close-knit family and they have always been supportive and encouraged me throughout my career.

What would you say has been the best moment of your career so far?

This is a tricky one to answer as there have been so many moments that I’m so glad to have experienced and that have helped mould my career. More recently, being on the Mela show has been a huge highlight in my career. Having this opportunity to work on such a prestigious show still feels slightly surreal! I have met some amazing people while filming on Mela and visited some of the most beautiful places.

Wine or water?

Wine of course! 

How do you unwind after a hectic day?

My day never really ends actually. The only time I get to unwind and relax is during the weekend. That’s if I’m not traveling for the Mela show, otherwise you’ll find me spending the weekend with my family having a braai or chilling at home watching TV and catching up on my favourite Series (having some “me time”).

Would you ever retire?

I’m sure at some stage I will retire, but for now I most certainly have a long way to go.

 Follow Kriya!

Instagram: @kriyag

Twitter: @KriyaG

Facebook: Kriya Gangiah

 

–Bridgette Makhela