Amanda Ngcono Nkomo is a 21-year-old Zimbabwean, I am currently a full-time student, model, public speaker, advocate of women empowerment, women’s rights and the support of the girl child, radio host for Friday Night with ATM and a presenter. I am Miss World Zimbabwe UK 1st Princess 2017, Zimbabwean Young Achiever of the Year 2018 for the Zimbabwean Achievers Awards, Zimbabwean International Women’s Awards Rising Star 2018, scholarship at the United Nations New York City. I was also Miss Global International Jamaica top 20 representing Zimbabwe. I started when I was 14 years old, I’ve done many different fashion shows, photoshoots, videos shoots, and worked with amazing brands in the UK and Zimbabwe.
I am the founder of a small international community charity foundation called ‘’Ngcono Mbowane Foundation’. Which aims to help and support communities with in Zimbabwe. My charity recently won charitable efforts 2019 and the Zimbabwean Young Achievers Awards this month.
Where did your passion for modelling come from?
My passion for modelling came at a very young age from watching the likes of Tyra Banks and Naomi Campbell growing up and seeing how amazing they were. Watching shows like America’s Next Top Model and thinking this is what I would love to do in the future and how inspiring these models were to me.
How was it being Miss Zimbabwe UK 1st Princess?
It was one of the best experiences of my life it has truly opens doors and opportunities for me and I can thank the Miss World Zimbabwe UK team for this and everyone else who has supported me on the journey. It’s truly been a once in a lifetime experience, I have grown so much as a person in so many ways. I have had the chance to meet and work with so many different people and organisations.
Describe how it felt winning Zimbabwean Young Achievers Awards.
This is the second year I have been nominated, last year I was nominated for community champion and people’s choice award for the Zimbabwean Young Achievers Awards, but I didn’t win I was super happy for everyone that did win. This year my foundation won charitable efforts of the year 2019 and honestly my heart melted knowing the support and love we were given and how this award was not just for me but for my community and the children back home.
What prompted you to create Ngcono Mbowane Foundation?
What prompted me to create Ngcono Mbowane Foundation was the love I have for my motherland. Giving back and making sure to build and grow back home was something very important for me to do. The foundation’s vision is to be able to work, support and provide the necessary tools needed for people to live a stable and fulfilling life. For people from all walks of life and to be able to make communities stronger. To be able to provide the needs for individuals to live such as school supplies, pads for girls, clothing, food, health care etc.
The first project which this foundation has done was in Zimbabwe January 2019 where it went to rural schools and gave away school supplies and sanitary towels for girls and did a workshop on women empowerment surrounding topics affecting young women. The foundation’s aims in the long run are to grow and build so that more projects can be done all over Zimbabwe where we stand with the motto “My Zimbabwe, Your Zimbabwe, Our Zimbabwe” and plans for all over Africa too. There is so much in the future of the foundation in areas in the community such as working with the homeless, elderly people, hospitals, sexual violence victims, education on sexual health, etc.
How did Friday Night with ATM come to be?
So, Friday Night with ATM came around when I got a call from Mavusana telling me he’s looking to put a radio show together and would like me on board. I was super happy because just the start of the year I was telling my mum that I wanted to explore and try radio so I’m thankful for the opportunities. We as Friday Night with ATM team have so much more in store for the new year it’s exciting.
How do you balance work and life given the projects you are part of?
It’s a juggling game for real, as not only do I work and do projects I also model and a full-time university student. I think a lot of it comes down to having a schedule which I’m always creating so I know what I’m doing on each day and time. It can sometimes get a lot, but I would never change it for anything as I love everything that I do.
Who are your role models in your life and your career?
My role models in life I would have to say my grandparents’ reason because of the love they have always given me and their faith in God, for me is such a blessing to see and something they have all instilled in me that giving love and giving back is so important. Also, my role models in career would have to be Mitchell Obama as I truly aspire to be such as amazing as she is, the love and heart she puts in everything is really admirable.
If you had to give up something for a year what would it be?
I would probably give up sweets as I have such a sweet tooth so maybe giving up for a year would help me eat less ahah.
What are you most proud of about being Zimbabwean?
The thing I’m most proud of about being Zimbabwean is our culture, traditions and our people. I am so so proud to be a Zimbabwean and the love I have for my motherland is forever, I will put my heart, blood, sweat and tears into helping build a brighter and better a Zimbabwe for everyone.
What would you like to be remembered for?
I would like to be remembered for the legacy which I’m working hard towards, I want to be remembered as someone who had a positive impact on the world and made it somehow a better place to be remembered as a strong fearless and bold world changer. I stand by my motto “My Zimbabwe, Your Zimbabwe, Our Zimbabwe “.
Social media
Twitter- amanda_ngcono
Facebook- Amanda Nkomo
Instagram- amanda_ngcono
Snapchat- axandaxo
Email- ngcono98@hotmail.com
Wow! Wow! At just 21 and she’s this influential! My goodness. The future is really young and bright. Thanks Inua for always bringing to us these stories.