Presenter and modeling prodigy Kat Ncala has made a name for herself not just in South Africa, but across the globe and now she is ready to take an even bigger step in her career.
Kat is a face that many South Africans have grown to know and love, mainly from her time on daytime teen variety show, YoTV, and from her historic Miss Teen World victory back when she was just 15-years-old. The win opened up a lot of doors for her and she took her journey a step further last year when she hosted Miss Teen Universe – another first for South African teenagers.
These global achievements, along with her steady progress in local television, have position Kat as one of the most exciting young entrepreneurs in the beauty and entertainment space.
It’s on this note that we interviewed the 20-year-old international presenter – Kat Ncala has just launched her very own modeling school, dubbed KN International Modeling Academy.
A Remarkable Conversation With A Remarkable Individual
Welcome to Moziak Magazine Kat – and congratulations on the launch of your brand new modeling academy. What made you decide that NOW was the right time to launch?
Thank you so much! Ever since I started growing in the pageant Industry, a little after I won Miss Teen World, I knew that there was no turning back. I knew that I wanted to be an influential figure in the pageant Industry. For the longest time, I’ve had many females and males ask me questions about the industry, I’ve received dozens of queries about hosting a masterclass, however I think people need to realize that perfection takes time. In this industry, one win doesn’t make you a master. You need to go through high and lows, and I feel like I’ve been groomed enough to launch KN Model Academy. All the trips to various countries, the losses and the wins it all accumulates into ensuring that we holistically prepare our students for this real world.
You have enjoyed an illustrious career on television and on the modelling scene too. Has your modelling academy always been an ambition of yours?
It’s always been my ambition to be a figure where people have access to me and I can assist me. Especially young people. I know what it feels like to walk into an industry not knowing anything, and for me to in a position where I can be the guide to those who want to get into the modeling & television world. So, I’m a person who believes in purpose maybe an academy wasn’t something I had in my mind but it certainly aligned with my dreams and passion.
What kinds of lessons are you hoping to share with your would-be graduates?
That passion is power firstly, secondly I want them to understand “hard work”. I think I will make this one the core of our lessons because a lot of people go into the industry with the intention that things will be handed to him, this is one of the biggest misconceptions! Perhaps a 101 lesson with my momager, Trinity Ncala will instill the hard work mentality into them! The rest, unfortunately only for our members lol!
As someone who has a lot of pageantry experience – We have just seen a new Miss SA crowned and SA has done well on the global pageant stage. What does it take to emerge as the winner of such a demanding campaign?
Firstly, congratulations to the newly crowned Miss SA. I think I can confidently say that I am so proud to see the Miss SA organization into an organization where we, as young girls, realize that our dreams aren’t far fetched. Our “realness” and I am not speaking only in the physical sense, is finally being recognized. And once we adapt the “THIS IS ME”attitude, we become unstoppable. This, I believe has played a huge factor is us scooping titles left right and center on the international stage
2020 has been a crazy year for most of us, how would you describe your experiences this year?
2020, was A LOT! I think most of us can agree that it really took us by surprise. My mother always taught me that, “it is up to you how you want to see the glass, half full or half empty” at first it was challenging for a lot of us, then I remembered what she said and started being grateful. Isolation gave me time to mould the academy. If it wasn’t for lockdown I don’t know if I was going to be able to give the academy that much focus. I’ve focused on myself, my personal brand, my content, like my content is crisp now! So, I am grateful for the conversation I had in the cave it really redefined me and Kats intention & goals for 2020 and beyond.
When things were their most challenging, what kept you going and kept you resilient?
What was challenging for me, was to see some of my plans not come fourth because of COVID. There were projects that didn’t work out, however by nature I’m a very resilient person. I’m never shaken by failures or set backs. What kept me going is my vision to grow as a person. I couldn’t and can’t ever fail myself.
Are you allowed to share any of your 2021 plans? What do you have up your sleeve next?
I’ll be turning 21!!!!!! I am so excited because I know with the KN International Model Academy, it is just going to … GROW. You’ll be seeing more of my face on TV and the rest is a series of “wait and see”
