Last November, after a grueling auditions process, 15 young South African women were selected as finalists to participate in the reality TV model search, Diamond in the Ruff. Sponsored by De Beers, the programme set out to transform inexperienced candidates who held a world of potential, into poised, professional models.
The process was not an easy one, as week by week, candidates were eliminated for not performing up to the judges exacting standards. And the judges were certainly exacting – LISOF lecturer and fashion writer Noni Gasa, fashion show producer and designer of the Naked Ape Design, Shaldon Kopman associate editor of GQ South Africa, Siphiwe Mpye and head of modeling agency The Shine Group Megan Kruger formed the Diamond in the Ruff judging panel, training and assessing the contestants on a weekly basis.
From the 15 girls selected from Polokwane, Durban, Kimberley, Cape Town, Musina, Bloemfontein, Johannesburg and Kroonstad, a successful group of 5 are now left in the finals – all vying for the ultimate prize of R150,000.00, and a modeling contract with The Shine Group and a Chevrolet Spark vehicle.
The Top 5 represent all corners of South Africa, and bring their own uniquely energy to the competition. They are:
- Asnath Nchabeleng – 21 years old – Polokwane
- Constance More – 19 years old – Johannesburg
- Rosina Herbakatzen – 22 years old – Cape Town
- Thembekazi Mazaleni – 22 years old – Bloemfontein (originally from East London)
- Zime Nkosi – 24 years old – Durban
On Tuesday 24 January on DStv’s Mzansi Magic (channel 107) – the Top 5 will participate in the final challenge to win the coveted title of ultimate Diamond in the Ruff. Taking to the ramp in front of a live audience for the first time, while modeling jewelry from the De Beers Shining Light Competition (collectively worth R31 million), the remaining contestants will showcase the skills that have earned them a place as semi-finalists in the competition.
Overwhelmed by how far they had come in the competition, and loving the fact that they were modeling De Beers most glittering jewelry showpieces, they had this to say about their shining moment in the Top 5 Runway challenge:
Asnath Nchabeleng:
“Being in the top 5 was amazing, to know that I was chosen out of thousands of girls all over South Africa was a dream come true! Then when I found out that we were going to model real diamonds worth millions -I couldn’t believe it. I was so excited to be wearing real diamonds on the ramp, showing off my talent, it was a breathtaking moment!”
Constance More
“Out of all those competitors, I never thought I’d land up in the final 5! Honestly, to me, it proved that I have the potential, and showed me how competitive I was! Wearing the diamonds worth millions showed me that I really had evolved from being a ‘Diamond in the Ruff’ and become a polished diamond – that’s why I landed in the top 5, and I can honestly say that the catwalk is my field….”
Zime Nkosi
“Reaching and being part of the Top 5 was an amazing accomplishment for me, I felt honoured to represent who I am and where I am from. Showcasing the diamonds for a live audience was exciting. I actually had to pull out ‘Dime’, my alter ego to execute the task. The whole experience was so surreal – I learnt so many things that will help me in my endeavors.”
Thembekazi Mazaleni
Being part of the Top 5 felt like SUCH an achievement on it’s own…. I feel like I’ve outperformed my own expectations, and walking down a ramp in front of 500 people watching me showcase that expensive jewelry – it was history in the making!”
Rosina Herbakatzen
“I felt so proud of myself, being in the Top 5 – SUCH a winning feeling! I couldn’t wait to show off all those gorgeous pieces from the Shining Light collection, if there is one thing I’d do again and again in this competition, it was that walk down the ramp, wearing diamonds worth millions!”
Indeed, it has been a journey well worth traveling for all the contestants. For these 5 vibrant young South Africans, a unique opportunity to show that with dedicated focus, training and vision, a glittering gem can emerge from the ‘Diamond in the Ruff’
All images: Kevin Mark Pass
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