Upclose with CSquared ambassador (Afiba Ajax)

Who is Afiba?

 

1.     My name is Asandiswa known as Afiba, 25 of age I fell in love with modelling since I was in High School, so ever since great pictures have been inspiring me and I have took it as my hobby. I am someone who can adapt to any situation. I thrive in a fluctuating environment and I transform unexpected obstacles into stepping stones for achievements. I have a very creative mind. I always have a unique perspective when approaching an issue due to my broad range of interests and hobbies. Creativity is the source of differentiation and therefore, at the root of competitive advantage. I have enough motivation for myself and people around me. I have love for people, I smile a lot and it’s contagious. I’m a fun person, loves to hang out with influential crew, and of course fabulous people. You’ll find me in social events where fashion is a big deal and if not it will be probably at the Cocktail bar or a chilled kind of vibe_ not saying that I don’t club, I do once in a while and when I do it I do it proper.

 

Where and how did you grow up?

 

I grew up in a very big family I think that’s where my passion for people started. I studied in a boarding school in East London until High School where I had to relocate back to the rural areas to my Granny’s house after she resigned, she was the principal of the School, so she took me and my sister with her when she resigned. I spent most of my childhood at school, never experience much of that life but I always made sure when I go back to my Granny’s house in Nqamakwe I have it all.

 

How did you become the ambassador of CSquare?

 

After a search of a Brand ambassador of CSquared I was fortunate enough to be appointed as one. CSquared was running a competition last year, where hundreds of entries came through. This was a national competition, all the young stylish men entered the competition wishing to win the competition, I can tell you now it was really tough. After few weeks of entries they had to choose the best of the best to go to the final round, this was entirely up to the Management of House of Monastic (which is the house of the brand) and we had celebrity judges, the likes of Kuli Roberts and GQ Editors etc. I made it to the top 30, at this point and time they opened the votes to the public to choose their favourite Top #3. I was announced to be on the Top #3 and at this stage I knew that I am very close and yet far from grabbing this title. I was the most voted contestant in the competition but the final say was that f the judges. The big night came, sadly it was the same night Nelson Mandela passed away even though I heard the news after I was named as the Winner.





Describe your style.

 

My personal style is comfort. I wear things I feel comfortable in, not because they're in vogue mag. It also depends on my mood and the weather. I feel pretty much comfortable in Skinny pants, if I am wearing formally I must have a Blazer complimenting the look.



 

What does fashion mean to you?

 

To me it is about confidence, feeling comfortable and feeling that the clothes represent you and your character. You need to let your personality shine through. It is also about those little quirky pieces, like a pair of patent shoes.

 

What is the difference between fashion and style?

 

Style is your own creation and fashion comes and go.

 

Describe the style at CSquare?

 

Mmm where do I start, the designing team at CSquared knows exactly the needs of the customers, our style is not found anywhere else in SA. Csquared is South Africa's most cutting edge formal wear brand. The chosen brand worn by Celebrities, It-Guys and Confident Stylers around SA. Our style embraces the natural beauty we have in SA and enhance the features/look that men have.

 

 

As the ambassador of CSquare what are your duties?

 

Promote brand name, Represent the company in a positive way, Interacts with customers and sales prospects, Communicate with customers on a social media platform and in the events I attend, Perform other marketing duties relevant to promoting the brand, Generate public interest in the brand, Provide complete information about the brand, Answer questions about the brand, Assists marketing team with the implementation of marketing campaigns, Attend fashion shows, social events and marketing events, Provides customer feedback regarding the brand to marketing manager.

 

Since you were the ambassador CSquare how has it changed your life?

 

It has change my life in so many different ways. It has exposed me to a bigger world of fashion, afforded me the opportunity to converse with well know local celebrities in various events and all and above it has built a huge profile for my in a modeling perspective, event thought I am not planning to change this into a career in the long run but being a Brand Ambassador of the biggest Brands in the country is a big thing.



 

How did you feel after you were named the ambassador of CSquare?

 

Describing the feeling I had isn’t enough, I really have no words for this question. I looked at it this way.. “so people do believe in me”. It was a remarkable experience with lots of emotions, after that everything was just unreal to my eyes, all the cameras flashing and people/ strangers congratulating me, hugging me etc. The night was indeed the big night as Texas Battle from the Bold and The beautiful hugged me and told me I did deserve to win, I look great lol..

What do you do for a living?

 

I’m doing communications for NSFAS, I have a lot of responsibilities as I am actually working for a newly developed Department called sBux but I don’t want to confuse people by going into details. But basically, I am responsible to keep the communication and the relationship between the organization and our primary clients which is Students in this case. I engage with our internal and external people, our stakeholders, prospective students, existing NSFAS students ETC. I travel to all our 25 Public Universities around SA and 50 FET Colleges, so most of my time is spent on the road.

 

What do people not know about you?

 

Mmmm, I’m as transparent as a crystal clear glass, so I doubt if there’s anything that people don’t know about me, unless it’s not meant for their ears.

 

And lastly where do you see yourself in 5 years.

 

I would like to complete my Honours first, and then plan for my long term goals. All I can say now is I don’t see myself working for any organization or someone at the age of 30, I would like to start my own business. I am looking in importing trending brands overseas, my main focus will be on Street wear. I have established a huge client base, and I know who my target market is. One of my friends (Apiwe Kepu on Facebook) is currently into this kind of business she gave me so much motivation and belief that working for yourself is key.