This feature brings together nine emerging creatives, each sharing their personal journey, perspective, and evolving relationship with creativity. Through their voices, we explore identity, expression, growth, and the different ways young creatives are shaping their paths in today’s world. From modelling to multidisciplinary practice, this feature reflects the early stages of becoming, where creativity is both uncertain and intentional, but always evolving.
Sihle Manyike
Sihle Manyike is from Benoni and is currently a student at North-West University. Her creative practice is rooted in purpose, identity, and empowerment — with a strong focus on uplifting young Black girls to embrace their natural selves and recognise their inherent beauty and worth.
Her creative identity is deeply connected to self-expression and cultural affirmation. A central symbol within her work is her Afro — which she refers to as her crown. For Sihle, it is not simply aesthetic, but a representation of strength, heritage, and pride. Through her creative expression, she challenges conventional beauty standards while encouraging others to see the value in their natural identity.
Her journey into creativity became clearer at the age of 18, when she found inspiration through images of Black girls embracing their natural beauty across platforms such as Pinterest and Instagram. Since then, her journey has been one of exploration, idea-building, and gradual refinement, even while navigating challenges around consistency.
She draws inspiration primarily from authenticity — particularly within Black culture and the celebration of natural features, identity, and self-confidence. Her admiration for honest, culturally rooted expression continues to shape her creative direction.
One of her biggest internal challenges has been comparison. Early in her journey, she often measured her progress against other creators, which affected her confidence. Over time, this shifted into a healthier perspective — where others’ work became a source of inspiration rather than limitation. This change allowed her to embrace her uniqueness more fully and grow in self-acceptance.
Currently, Sihle is focused on translating her ideas into tangible creative work, while refining her personal style and artistic voice. Her process is centred on authenticity — ensuring that what she creates reflects who she is becoming.
Her vision is rooted in impact and representation. She hopes her work inspires young girls to embrace themselves fully, and to build identities grounded in self-love and confidence rather than external validation.
Looking ahead, she envisions growing within her creative path and stepping into modelling — a long-standing aspiration. She hopes to expand her reach while using her journey as a source of inspiration and empowerment for others.
Beyond her craft, Sihle describes herself as someone still in the process of becoming — grounded in growth, learning, and self-expression. She values authenticity and strives to carry it into every part of her life.
A defining shift in her journey came when she stopped comparing herself to others and began embracing her own creative voice. That moment solidified her understanding that her creativity holds its own value and purpose.
Zanokuhle “Bhekiswayo” Mdluli
Zanokuhle “Bhekiswayo” Mdluli is a young creative from the East Rand who describes himself as a “young jit” navigating the creative space with intention and evolving vision. His work spans across modelling, assistant creative direction, and conceptual thinking, positioning him as an emerging independent artist shaping his own path.
He identifies as a visionary — someone not confined to one role, but constantly shifting between disciplines as he builds his creative identity. For him, creativity is not fixed but fluid, rooted in exploration and adaptation.
His awareness of creativity began early, sparked in a moment during the 8th grade where exposure to different personalities and environments pushed him to adapt and observe more intentionally. That experience became an early catalyst for how he engages with the world today.
A key driving force in his journey is dissatisfaction with stagnation. He is motivated by the idea that he is not yet where he wants to be, and that growth requires movement beyond his current environment. This desire to evolve is both geographical and creative.
One of the challenges he faces is the lack of like-minded creatives within his immediate surroundings. Because of this, collaboration in his area is rare, pushing him to find grounding and creative exchange within his close circle — particularly through collaboration with Camino and Sage, who have become important creative partners in his process.
Currently, Zanokuhle is focused on building his own photography platform — a space dedicated strictly to his personal vision. This marks a shift toward ownership and intentional authorship of his creative output.
He hopes his work will be perceived as “kind as a mother’s porridge” — warm, humble, and deeply comforting, yet often underrated. For him, that underdog energy is intentional; it reflects how he sees his creative journey unfolding.
Looking ahead, he envisions himself becoming one of the most influential young creatives in the industry, with aspirations of becoming a brand ambassador and expanding his presence beyond local spaces.
Beyond his craft, he encourages others to engage with history as a way of decolonising thought and expanding perspective. His worldview is rooted in awareness, identity, and mental liberation.
He describes himself simply as a “black samurai with endless ideas for the game” — a metaphor for discipline, imagination, and creative warfare in a modern context.
For Zanokuhle, creativity is also survival and healing. Watching those around him grow has become a grounding experience, one that has replaced destructive habits with creation. “Creating gives me time for my mental health,” he reflects, framing his practice as both expression and protection.
Unathi Mehlomakhulu
Unathi Mehlomakhulu is a creative from Daveyton working across art, design, and modelling. Her practice is rooted in hands-on expression — guided by intuition, observation, and a natural connection to visual creation. She describes herself as “artsy,” someone who adapts easily to any medium involving creativity and manual expression.
Her creative identity is shaped by difference. She often sees herself as an outsider, and this perspective informs much of her work. In her own words, her creativity reflects who she is — someone distinct within her environment, influenced by both personal observation and inherited creative thinking from her father, whom she cites as a major inspiration.
Her journey into creativity began early, through a long-standing feeling of being different from those around her. While she recognised her creative ability from a young age, it took time to fully understand her direction and establish where she fits within the creative space. Over time, this uncertainty has transformed into comfort and exploration, with a growing awareness that her journey is still unfolding.
She draws inspiration from nature, aesthetics, and everyday life — from kasi fashion and lifestyle to cultural traditions and family influence. Her environment plays a significant role in shaping her perspective, alongside her parents, particularly her father, whose creative thinking and way of life continue to influence her outlook.
Her challenges have included demotivation, lack of resources, and balancing creative ambition with school and home responsibilities. Through these experiences, she has learned to detach from external validation and people-pleasing tendencies, instead focusing on discipline, self-direction, and understanding where she belongs creatively.
Currently, Unathi is expanding her skill set by exploring behind-the-camera work, learning sewing, and engaging in studio-based practice. She is actively seeking opportunities that allow her to develop both technical ability and creative confidence.
Her vision is centred on mastery and self-discipline. She hopes her work communicates the idea that anything is possible through dedication — aligning with her belief in becoming the “master of your craft.”
Looking ahead, she aspires to study within an institution that will further develop her creativity while placing her in an environment surrounded by like-minded individuals. She envisions a future where she can fully balance her academic, personal, and creative life while continuing to grow her craft.
“I might just be an ordinary person,” she reflects, “but in all honesty, I’m more than that.”
A defining part of her journey has been the people and experiences around her — from shoots to sketches to encounters with other creatives. These moments continue to shape her identity and push her forward creatively.
For Unathi, creativity is not a fixed identity but an ongoing process of becoming — shaped by experience, environment, and continuous learning.