Ido Lekota chats to Zabelo Hlabisa to find out more about the fantastic work she is doing to help uplift others… all the while looking incredibly stylish
Zabelo Hlabisa is an inspiring multifaceted youth leader whose life journey ecompasses cultural ambassadorship, impactful youth activism, and, presently, fashion designer as the founder and owner of Royal Glam Palace—a boutique focusing on African Modern Tradition.
Through the boutique, Zabelo has seamlessly transitioned into the world of fashion where she captures the African Modern Traditional style, redefining contemporary African fashion by blending traditional fabrics and motifs with modern design and tailoring. Based in Morningside, Durban, the boutique is a vibrant space that not only sells garments but also serves as a cultural hub promoting African heritage through fashion that is both stylish and deeply meaningful.
Formerly crowned Miss Earth South Africa, Zabelo has used the platform to advocate for environmental sustainability, while celebrating her African identity. As also a proud cultural ambassador of the Zulu Nation, Zabelo has championed the preservation and promotion of her heritage intertwining tradition with modern narratives in all her endeavours. She is also Founder and Managing Director of Born 2 Model—an academy and mentorship programme focusing on empowering and uplifting young women, especially aspiring models.
Her commitment to community development reflects in her work as a youth activist focused on rural empowerment and sustainable food production. Her passion for nurturing young leaders and promoting environmental stewardship complements her cultural mission and entrepreneurial success. Through her boutique and activism, Zabelo continues to inspire a holistic vision. Essentially, she is an ambitious go getter who proudly confesses that with limited resources, she has achieved many different goals in her short life.
“Some of my achievements are bigger than the others, which has given me greatest satisfaction,” the youth and cultural activist told Leadership during a recent interview.
Some of these top achievements include: Miss Earth SA 2023, Winner of BRICS Young Media Influencer Award 2023 during a BRICS Youth Summit held in Russia, 2023 National Director for the national Kids festival, 2023 Young African Achievers Award, Miss Heritage SA 2022, Miss Cosmos SA 2021-22, World Peace Ambassador 2021, Top Model Africa Winner 2021, as well as being endorsed by the Zulu Monarch as the Zulu Nation Ambassador.
The Importance of standing for one’s Community
Growing up in a rural area where dreams often go unnoticed has instilled in Zabelo a profound understanding of struggle and limited opportunity. This experience has also shaped in her a commitment to serve others, rooted in the belief that true progress comes through collective support and uplifting one another.
Born to Model Empowering over 300 young women both Locally and Internationally
Zabelo’s commitment to the empowerment of young women is deeply personal and driven by a desire to share her gifts beyond modeling. She founded Born 2 Model with the vision of teaching, guiding, and opening doors for others, especially shy and uncertain girls. Her true success lies not only in their external achievements like international runways and titles but in helping these young women gain self-belief and confidence, fostering their personal transformation and empowerment.
Facing Challenges of Access to Resources
Her resilience shines through leadership as national director of the 2022 Kids Educational Festival, where securing sponsorships was the greatest challenge. Despite obstacles, she maintained faith and determination, successfully enabling four children to represent South Africa internationally in Thailand. This achievement reinforced her belief that a pure purpose attracts support, fueling her hope for stronger partnerships in the future to expand opportunities for more children.
Sustainable Farming’s Contribution to Youth Empowerment and Community Development
“Sustainable farming is about more than food; it’s about dignity, empowerment, and future security. Through the Garden Growth Network, we teach young people how to grow food, care for the earth, and create sustainable livelihoods. It gives them not only skills but a sense of ownership and connection to the land. For me, it’s a spiritual practice because when we nurture the soil, we nurture ourselves and our communities.”
Balancing Actvism, Community Development and Other Charitable Projects
As Zabelo has come to realise, balancing everything is not always easy, but she is driven by the belief that when people’s intentions are aligned with service, God gives them the strength and wisdom to manage it all.
“I approach each project with heart and structure, surrounding myself with people who share the same vision. Whether it’s food security, children’s welfare, or environmental awareness, the goal is the same: to bring hope, healing, and impact to those who need it most.”
Dealing with Recognition
Recognition has significantly impacted Zabelo’s work by providing a powerful platform and reinforcing her purpose beyond herself. Titles like Miss Earth South Africa 2023 have enabled her to amplify her advocacy for environmental education and women’s empowerment, while awards such as BRICS Young Media Influencer of the Year emphasise that true influence is about meaningful impact, not popularity. These honours have expanded her opportunities for international collaborations, mentorship, and speaking engagements.
Being an Ambassador of the Zulu Nation
Being an ambassador of the Zulu Nation, endorsed by the Royal Zulu King, is a profound calling that carries the pride, dignity, and spirit of the Zulu people. This role is not merely a title but a divine responsibility to honour and preserve cultural heritage while inspiring the next generation to embrace their roots. It involves integrating values such as ubuntu, respect, and unity into leadership and community initiatives, walking with grace, upholding traditions, and serving with a culturally rooted heart and purpose. The ambassadorship embodies a deep commitment to carrying the legacy of the Zulu nation with honour wherever one goes.
The Role of Young People in Shaping SA’s Future
The vibrant activist-cum-fashionista believes the youth are the vital force shaping South Africa’s present and future. They are not just future leaders but active leaders today, with a crucial role in driving social justice, sustainability, and innovation. By using their voices, creativity, and platforms, young people can rebuild the nation with integrity and love, making bold actions now essential for South Africa’s future success.
Accomplishing Remarkable Achievements with Limited Resources
Zabelo has accomplished remarkable achievements despite limited resources by grounding her work in faith, purpose, and divine timing. Growing up rural taught her resourcefulness and to turn scarcity into beauty through prayer, creativity, and persistence. She sees challenges as lessons that refine rather than define her, while building sincere partnerships and remaining consistent amplifies her impact. Her motivation comes from witnessing how even small changes in young people’s confidence and purpose validate her vision—that faith, vision, and a heart to serve can overcome resource constraints.
Looking Ahead in the Various Roles Played
Zabelo’s key goals across her various roles focus on empowerment, impact, and nation-building. For Born 2 Model Academy, she aims to expand globally and create a training hub that develops young talent in modeling, leadership, and personal growth, emphasising empowerment over comparison. Through the Zabelo Foundation, she prioritises education, food security, and mentorship in rural schools, fostering skills and partnerships across communities, corporate, and government sectors. As a national ambassador for Brand SA’s #PlayYourPart, she advocates for individual responsibility in nation-building, embodying a mission where faith, culture, and purpose serve humanity.
Why Royal Glam Palace?
Zabelo created Royal Glam Palace out of a passion for African culture and a vision to merge it with contemporary fashion, celebrating tradition while redefining African luxury for today. Inspired by the strength and heritage of women who proudly wore their culture, the boutique honours that legacy through fashion as storytelling.
Focused on African Modern Tradition, each design conveys identity, pride, and evolution, aiming to empower women to embrace their roots with elegance and confidence. Royal Glam Palace positions African fashion as a timeless expression, not merely a trend.
Zabelo holds a Diploma in Office Management and Technology, which has provided her with strong organisational, communication, and project management skills essential for effectively coordinating community initiatives. Driven by her passion for sustainable agriculture, she completed specialised training with Isolethu Agri Development, where she gained hands-on experience in sustainable farming practices, crop production, and community garden management.
Since founding the Garden Growth Network, Zabelo has applied both her management skills and agricultural training to establish sustainable food gardens in over 10 schools, positively impacting learners and their communities. With the support of Isolethu, she has planted more than 2 000 fruit trees and 5 000 seedlings, promoting food security and environmental awareness.
Beyond agriculture, Zabelo is deeply committed to social change and youth advocacy. Since 2021, she has raised over R60 000 for the Childhood Cancer Foundation of South Africa (CHOC) through the GivenGain app, ensuring that 100% of the funds go directly to the cause. As a Brand Ambassador for Joburg Child Welfare, she has coordinated donations worth over R300 000 between 2022 and 2023, collecting much-needed supplies through the support of generous donors.
Ido Lekota is a media practitioner and an independent socio-political commentator.
