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.
Kayla Mpela
Kayla Mpela is a 19-year-old creative from Johannesburg whose practice is rooted in expression across multiple forms — from art and beauty to cooking and sport. Still in the process of defining her direction, she is guided by a desire to build something meaningful from the things she genuinely loves.
She describes herself as a visual and hands-on creative, someone drawn to aesthetics in all its forms. Whether in nature, fashion, art, or the subtle arrangement of everyday objects, Kayla is attentive to detail. Her creative identity is shaped by duality — soft and feminine energy balanced with a subtle edge — resisting any attempt to be confined to a single form of expression.
Creativity, for her, has always been present, even before it had a name. Early interests in drawing, painting, and working with her hands gradually expanded into broader explorations such as cooking, crocheting, beauty, and fashion. Over time, these interests have shifted from casual curiosity into intentional exploration.
Her inspiration is drawn from everyday life — aesthetics, nature, fashion, social media, and the small details often overlooked. She finds meaning in observation, and in how different forms of creativity intersect and inform one another.
One of her key challenges has been navigating multiple interests at once. Not having a single defined focus has sometimes felt overwhelming, but it has also allowed her to explore without pressure, learning through experience rather than limitation.
Currently, Kayla is actively exploring a range of creative disciplines, including art, beauty, and fashion. Alongside this, she is developing practical skills such as hairstyling, makeup, piano, and skating — embracing the process of learning without requiring perfection.
Her vision is rooted in emotional impact. She hopes her work will inspire confidence, comfort, and creativity in others — creating pieces and expressions that feel both aesthetic and meaningful.
Looking ahead, she envisions herself growing into multiple creative fields including photography, graphic design, and potentially travel-based work. Her long-term goal is to transform her interests into something both fulfilling and sustainable.
“I’m someone who enjoys learning and trying new things, even if I’m not the best at them yet,” she reflects. “For me, creativity isn’t just one thing — it’s part of how I live my life.”
Outside of her creative practice, Kayla is active and curious, with interests ranging from skating and sports to gardening, thrifting, chess, cooking, and music — all of which feed into her broader creative worldview.
While she does not define a single defining moment, she instead identifies a series of small realisations — moments of clarity that reinforce her love for creating, learning, and self-expression.
Pontsho Ngubane
Pontsho Ngubane is a fashion model from Kingsway, Benoni, focused on building her presence within the fashion industry. Through modelling, she explores self-expression and the transformation of ideas into visual form, using presence as her primary creative tool.
She describes herself as calm yet expressive, with a strong focus on presence and authenticity. Rather than performing for attention, Pontsho’s approach is grounded in naturalness — allowing her energy and body language to speak without forcing interpretation.
Her journey into modelling became more intentional when she recognised its potential as a serious path. Since then, she has been actively working on improving her craft, building experience, and positioning herself within the industry.
Pontsho draws inspiration from confident individuals who are secure in their identity. She is also influenced by everyday environments, personal style, and the diverse ways people choose to express themselves.
One of her biggest challenges has been maintaining consistency and self-belief in a highly competitive space. However, this has also contributed to her mental growth, helping her remain focused on her individual path rather than external comparison.
Currently, she is focused on building her portfolio, refining her skills, and gaining more experience within the modelling industry.
Her vision is centred on emotional connection. She hopes her work allows people to feel seen and confident — even through a single image — creating moments of recognition and resonance.
In the coming years, Pontsho sees herself working with larger brands and expanding her presence both locally and internationally. Her growth is grounded in steady progression and intentional development.
“I’m still growing, but I’m serious about what I’m building,” she reflects. “I’m focused and open to learning more every step of the way.”
A defining moment for her came with the realisation that consistency could turn passion into a long-term path — a shift in mindset that strengthened her commitment to modelling.
Outside of her work, she describes herself as grounded and focused, someone who prioritises self-improvement and staying authentic in all spaces she enters.
APE (East Rand Creative Director)
From the East Rand, a creative director and videographer working under the identity APE — short for Aesthetic Purposes Entirely — is building a conceptual world rooted in music, culture, and visual storytelling. His practice is heavily influenced by hip-hop culture and cinematic direction, drawing inspiration from figures such as Quentin Tarantino and Martin Scorsese.
His creative identity is shaped by music above all else. Music videos, sound, and rhythm form the foundation of how he sees and constructs visual worlds. For him, creativity is not separate from culture — it is embedded within it.
Around matric, he stepped away from music temporarily and began developing other creative disciplines. This shift became an educational phase, where he and his peers began learning how to construct new visual and conceptual worlds under the APE vision. The journey, as he describes it, remains ongoing and collaborative.
Inspiration remains rooted in music as a primary force. It is both the starting point and the driving energy behind his creative direction.
One of his biggest challenges has been lack of recognition. However, rather than diminishing his drive, this experience has reshaped his perspective. It has encouraged him to detach from external validation and instead focus on self-directed artistic purpose.
Currently, he is focused on developing his video editing skills and refining how his conceptual vision for APE is expressed visually. The project exists as an evolving idea — still in formation, but grounded in a clear philosophy.
APE represents more than a creative identity; it is a conceptual framework aimed at encouraging South Africans to embrace street subculture and individuality without hesitation. At its core, it seeks to normalise difference and celebrate alternative forms of expression within a local context.
Looking ahead, he envisions himself becoming a niche and distinctive creative force — likening his future trajectory to that of Dean Blunt in terms of individuality and artistic positioning.
“I’m simply just a kid with a vision,” he reflects. “Fueled by my burning desire and passion, I can’t identify a single defining moment of affirmation — I would rather die than not live for my passion.”
His final position is clear: authenticity is non-negotiable. His work is intended to remain unapologetically South African, grounded in personal truth and cultural expression.