The newest member to join the exceptional and expert Project Runway South Africa panel is award-wining TV presenter, DJ, businesswoman and motivational speaker Lerato Kganyago. As the recent winner of this year’s SAFTA for best TV presenter, South Africa’s first version of the hit international series will be in accomplished hands when she takes centre stage.
Lerato’s role as host of Project Runway SA is multifaceted. She will lead audiences through the high and lows, adventures and challenges that contestants face, while working closely with resident judges Noni Gasa and Rahim Rawjee and nurturing talent alongside mentor Gert-Johan Coetzee.
From walking the catwalk as a former beauty queen to covering fashion and entertainment on radio and TV, Kganyago looks back at her career and says Project Runway SA is the perfect fit and the right time.
“It feels as though it’s the perfect time for me to percolate my previous experience and expertise into a brand new vehicle,’ says Lerato. “I’m looking forward to instilling that knowledge in the contestants as they embark on this exciting journey and to being part of the trailblazing production that’s giving emerging design talent the time to shine. There is something gratifying about helping uncover the new fashion stars of tomorrow and giving them the platform to show South Africa what they’re made of!”
Lerato will be looking for originality, creativity and direction from the contestants – someone who will be capable to strike a balance between innovation and wearability. Her advice to contestants to achieve this? “Put your hard work in, focus on yourself, bring out all the creativity – that’s what the competition is about – and be original.”
Ndalo Pictures Founder and CEO Khanyi Dhlomo says, “Lerato is on another level. She’s bold, she’s sharp, she’s witty, her uninhibited spontaneity is thoroughly entertaining, and even though she almost always looks as if she’s just about to glide back onto the catwalk, she’s incredibly unaffected. She’s the real deal.”
Catch Lerato in action when Project Runway South Africa airs in July 2018 on Mzansi Magic, channel 161 on DStv.
