FOR a woman who is used to being watched by a television audience of millions, Hlengiwe Nkosi has allowed nerves to get the better of her. Gone is the bubbly girl with a big personality, instead she presents herself as a shy and reserved 23-year-old novice. The only clue that this is in fact the vivacious Ses’khona presenter and not an imposter is her I-don’t-care-who-says-what dress sense – today it’s an ensemble of a stonewashed denim jacket, a flirty tutu-skirt paired with tights and electric blue ankle boots. Hlengiwe’s daring and unapologetic fashion sense is much like her loud personality, currently subdued as a result of nerves. Ask two of her best friends Thembelihle and Ingiphile and they’ll tell you that this girl doesn’t have what you would call an indoor voice!
On the day of the shoot she’s a bit quiet, clearly acclimatising to the backdrop of BONA’s cover team chattering as they decide what the Swati beauty will wear for her first magazine cover in the four years she’s been on TV. When she got the call that she’d been chosen to be BONA’s July cover star, she screamed and then got on the phone to her manager Andy Magazz to share the exciting news. Next was girlfriend and colleague Phuti Nakene who appropriately squealed with excitement. With wardrobe decided, hair and nails done it’s time for Hlengiwe to step in front of the camera. The first shots are awkward – a bit uncomfortable, in fact. Is she shy about working that bootylicious body in front of the photographer? “There are days when I look in the mirror and wonder what the hell is wrong with me,” she says about her weight. “I’ll think to myself: yes I’m on TV and living my dream but maybe if I was a size-32 things would be even better,” she admits. However it’s not weight issues that are holding her back from posing like a diva – it’s those nerves. Hlengiwe remembers she wasn’t this jittery for the Ses’khona audition. “I loved it from the moment I was in front of that camera.” A week later she got the job despite her tomboy looks and lack of experience in TV-presenting. “I was in a taxi, heading home when I got the call. I have never screamed so much in my life – it was a beautiful moment,” she recalls.
The third oldest of eight children, Hlengiwe grew up in Lekazi township in Nelspruit in a house where all the women favoured discipline. “I was raised by everyone from my mom, to my gran and even my aunts. My family was very strict; I was never allowed to go out. I pretty much lived between school and home.” A self-confessed daddy’s girl, she studied office administration to please her father. The plan was to be her father’s PA after she’d completed her studies. At home Hlengiwe was known as a very shy person and perhaps that’s why her father thought she’d be perfect working behind a desk. However, something in her was stirring – a calling for a job in the media to be precise. She landed a DJing slot in Barberton’s small radio station, where she could be her bubbly and outspoken self. What you see on Ses’khona is just the bigger and better version of what she used to be like back home.
 “What you see on TV is really me. I love meeting people and I’ve always loved the spotlight.” As Hlengiwe slips into a long silver dress for the second round of the shoot, she considers how long it is. Perhaps this explains her sudden nervousness given her fondness for miniskirts and more tight-fitting, fleshrevealing clothes. “I love my short things. Some people think I shouldn’t show so much thigh while other big girls often ask how I pull it off!” Not only is she confident to flash her thighs, she speaks about boyfriends and broken hearts with the same ease – it’s a favourite topic amongst her small circle of friends. The only thing stopping her from spilling the juicy details of her dating experience is the knowledge that her parents will read this article.
She does reveal that her high school sweetheart stole her heart and then broke it when he cheated after she moved to Egoliwood to pursue her dreams. “Then I met a guy in Jo’burg who was my ideal package; good looking with a hot body. He was very loving at first but the relationship eventually went sour. He would switch his phone off and disappear from Friday to Monday morning!” She’s often wondered if true love exists, but she’s very quick to answer that question. “I’ve learned not to chase after love. I’ve found that if I let it come to me it really does come.” Fortunately for her there are all sorts of distractions from delinquent boyfriends: plans of an album (singing is one of Hlengiwe’s secret talents that she’d like to share with the world) is high up on her to-do list. She’s also added acting (preferably in a soapie) and a fashion line for big girls like her to her list of ambitions. “Initially I’d told myself that I came to Jo’burg for other things. Now I realise there’s no reason why I shouldn’t be a full package.” And she certainly is as she confidently – no nerves in sight – smiles for the perfect cover shot. [e] |
