A day with Mr KZN Top Model


By Thandi    08-Mar-2013 07:09 UTC+02:00 13
Khulekani doing his thing on stage. Here he was competing for the Mr KZN Top Model 2012 title, which he won.

Khulekani doing his thing on stage. Here he was competing for the Mr KZN Top Model 2012 title, which he won.

It is common for people who are not successful in life to blame it on their backgrounds. Yesterday we had a chat with a young vibrant model from Durban who believes that anyone can make it in the modeling industry and other spheres of life regardless of where they come from.

Born and bred in the notorious township of Umlazi, south of Durban, Khulekani Prince Khumalo was not going to let his background hold him back. He is from a humble beginning, and is the 3rd from his youngest brother in the family of 12. Although his encounters and memories of his childhood are not pleasant, he says he draws strength from those experiences in his pursuit of success.

His parents were to ensure that his dreams exceeded the boundaries within which fate had chosen his life to begin as he was taken to schools outside the township. That is where his horizon was expanded and the beginning of setting his sights to things which would ordinarily be beyond one’s reach was marked.

During his High School days atRice Cliff in the neighbouring Chatsworth, he discovered his passion for the entertainment industry. However, the journey was to begin later on in his life, in 2004.

His grade 8 teacher must have detected a spark of the entertainment bug as he was requested to participate in a Stage play for the schools cultural day celebrations. This was a surprise to him as he was a shy adolescent. However, the teacher’s persistence was to reveal to him a love of the arts he never knew he had hidden by the shyness that possessed the greater part of his childhood.

Although the spark was ignited, it did not develop into full flames until 2004. A Great initiative by the Durban Film Office and other stakeholders, called the greater Durban television, is when the full love and drive for entertaining took a sharp turn.

He was afforded an opportunity to present an entertainment show (JUST CRUISING) which featured career talk, music, artist interviews and pre-recordings of events around Durban. Among the big names he hosted on his show are the likes of Mandoza, Danny K, Ruth Cele, Bhodloza Nzimande, Dudu ‘’Lady D’’ Khoza, Chippa, Mzambiya, Tumza, Picth Black Afro, Mzekezeke and many other artists. He also produced a teen talk show for GDTV. He appeared in a drama called Bay of Plenty, shot in urban.

This 1.83m tall brown eyed hunk currently holds the title of Mr KZN TOP MODEL 2012.  Proving how much of a humanitarian he is, Khulekani has not let a chance of helping in charity events or organizations pass him by and he loves spending time with disadvantaged kids or orphans as it gives him a chance to motivate and inspire these kids.‘’I believe in humanity, positivity, knowledge and passion.’’   He has opened a facebook group called Mzansi Artist that specializes on artists that are looking for a platform to share ideas so that they can brainstorm and more.

Khulekani a.k.a ’Prince’ says “it has been a long journey and continues to be but through perseverance and determination he is adamant nothing is impossible. Prince is not just a looker, he is all brains as he successfully completed a course in Music Business management. He has also graduated for his studies in the Film and Television  field at Movie Tech,  of which after being discovered by a designer he then ventured into modelling where he has showcased clothes for well-known brands, like the Mandela clothing label 46664, Mamsab, life, Acajoe, YDE, Mr Price, Edgars, Le’Kacfiso and has worked with various designers like David Tlale, Sfiso Gwalafor Le’KaCfiso,  Andrew Martins, Lindiwe Khuzwayo, Quin, Crazy Urban, Sbusiso Shozi 4ever Trendy and many more.

He has modelled in many events like Vodacom Durban July where he has been selected twice in a row as the most striking couple with his partner, David Tlale fashion Extravaganza, Durban Fashion Show, and also in charity for stop violence against woman and children, a real man campaign. Khulekani is an Ambassador of a dreadlocks place Hutandsoul dreadlocks place, and he was also a Brand Ambassador for Aca Joe.  He trains male models in his home town, and also has been working hand in hand with training male models for a Models Boot Camp, JSE owned by Jacqui Emmanuelle. He also has taken part in pageants such as Mr Gateway, Mr Pavilion, Mr Ushaka amongst others. Khulekani was a main actor in a short movie called Help me, for the Durban film challenge hosted by Durban film Office and the movie was selected in the top 5.

This attractive talent filled with charisma says ‘My ultimate goal is to give back to the community/ to make a difference, while improving myself as an individual. I want to motivate and show the youngsters in South Africa that where you come from shouldn’t determine who you are to become.

Mr South Africa Brand is the most prestigious competition of its kind in South Africa. It is a well built, respected and well-presented and is about veracity, exploration, professionalism, excellence and consideration. Being recognized as this Brand would be a true achievement for any proudly South African man. I entered Mr South Africa so that I can get wider access to the youth of South Africa.

Through my talks with the youth in my community I have discovered that there is a lot of untapped potential. These are our leaders, they sit with answers and solutions for many problems that South Africa has. I as Khulekani who has been that Township youth only had a dream to get myself out of the cycle of poverty though perseverance and hard work. I can identify and inspire the youth to do the same.

Winning Mr South Africa would be a perfect stepping stone, a great platform, a dream come true and I would honestly feel blessed to win such a title’.

This competition searches for a completely positive South African man who brings positive influence to the youth. Out of 50 contestants, Khulekani was in the top 11 last time we checked. To vote for him, sms MRSA113 to 47439.

You can find him on facebook:  Khulekani Prince Khumalo

His Twitter handle is @cosmickhumalo.



 13 Comments


  1. Was great meeting you at the model boot camp, you realy did help those aspiring models a lot. Tanks again says:

    Ic.photography@rocketmail.com

  2. all da best boy n we r behind u all da way u goin 2 win this competition says:

    +27792688992

  3. Dude - You got this :) your humble and selfless .. you care for others before you think about yourself .. all the best and you know TEAM JSE is supporting you all the way ... says:

    Lynele@cellc.blackberry.com

  4. Lungi says:

    Wow. You deserved to win Mr KZN Top model. I realy like your outfit. Good luck with Mr S.A.

  5. nonsikelelo gumede says:

    Hi khule,you such a young talented,brave and ambitious man.In my own words i can say u are Star and an inspiration to other young talented boys ,all i wish for you is nothing but the ‘Best’of which u deserve.Good luck

  6. merinda says:

    Hey dude…best of luck…keeping south africa on the map…keep it up…u inspire…

  7. Sanisha mncube says:

    We wish u all da best khulekani…myk us proud again as kzn citizen…..may God mercy b with u

  8. owamikee lo buti all the best buti wam...make us proud mntungwa says:
  9. Mr M says:

    nice one Khule. All the best bro.

  10. Hey boet i knw u cn make t as yo cc m de 1 of de models...4 sure yu already win... says:

    Yu cn make t bhuti 4 sure m telling yu…

  11. mpumeh says:

    I know u’ll make it friend. It’s been quiet a long journey but dnt give up. All d best…good luck

  12. Annelene says:

    Wish u all da best very inspiring story u deserve 2 win I’m sure u touched many harts n towt dem neva 2 gv up on dy dreams bcoz dy do bcum reality… I wish u well as u strive 2 succeed in many different fields… Da very best and of course u gt my vote;)

  13. Nomondeh Rosey says:

    I WISH YU AL DA BEST KHULEKANI AND THNK YOU 4 WAT YU HV D0NE 4 ME HELPING ME THRU MY MODELING CAREER YU ALWAYS TRIED UR BEST TO HO0K ME UP WTH AGENCIES I THANK YU. I KNW YU WIL MAKE T, F S.A NIDS DA REAL MR S.A DAN DAT PERS0N Z YEW. IM AL BEHIND JA. DANKIE.

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