The iconic rise of Tsietsi Samuel Lesenyego & The road to Tokyo 2020 Olympics. From Ramp Modeling to Track & field athletic competition, Tsietsi prepares for one of his greatest challenges in his lifetime.

 

Tsietsi Samuel Lesenyego better known as Tsietsi Samuels, is a qualified Medical Laboratory Scientist; Male model; Personal trainer; Netball coach & Volleyball coach, this to mention the many accolades under his belt. At this young  age, He looks like someone who has done it all, however, he has set himself a target to reach & conquer at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic games.

Today we take a look at who is Tsietsi Samuel Lesenyego as he opens up to AFTV about his life, Success, Challenges and ambitions.

Tsietsi Samuel Lesenyego was born in 1991 to Tshidi Lucille and was raised single handedly by his grandmother (Ellen), whom he regards as the most influential woman in his life. Tsietsi grew up in the Potchefstroom city in North west, South Africa. He is the only child from his mothers side and has four siblings from his fathers side. Tsietsi grew up without his fathers presence in his life, like any other kids who grew up without their fathers. Tsietsi had to learn a lot of things that fathers are supposed to teach their children, all by himself : "I never really dwell that much into it , he was just absent and I had to teach myself much of the stuff i know today" . In 2008 he completed his high school matric and applied to study at Vaal University of Technology to study IT, to which he got accepted and started his academic year in 2009. However he did not study what he initial applied for, but instead he studied Biomedical Laboratory Sciences.

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 It was during that time that he started doing a lot of things, from sports to modelling. At varsity he took part in sporting codes like Volleyball; Netball; Tennis; Soccer; Indigenous games and athletics.
"I was motivated by people who told me that I have the looks and that I should consider it (Modelling)", that is why he started modeling. As for the sporting part, he mentioned that "I did every sporting code that my body allowed me to participate in". As an aspiring model, he would take part in castings at varsity when Students studying fashion were hosting casting for their fashion shows, and lucky enough he would make a cut. Back at home Tsietsi enjoyed the support he got from his family who supported him in everything that he did. In the year of 2012 he completed his studies and graduated in 2013.

 As model he has worked with people like Ben Letlape; Collen Monnakgotla; Scalo Medupe; Stevel Marc and many more. He has walked the ramp for shows like Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Joburg; Mpumalanga fashion Show and many others. His modeling career took a great turn when he was scouted by one of South Africa's best models scouter Kgomotso Seboko from KS. He (KS) has discovered a lot of top models of today. Tsietsi acknowledges that it was through working with Kgomotso that he got a lot of exposure for his modeling career, however pursuing his dream hasn't come without its own challenges. Just like any other career that one might try to pursue, modeling also did come with its own challenges. Tsietsi had also encountered the challenges in pursuit of his dream of becoming one of S.A's top male model. Those challenges he encountered when he had to relocate to a place where he could get more exposure, however, due to his studies he couldn't adapt and he had to put  modeling on hold so that he could focus on his studies.

" My ambition is to be one of the best Fitness trainers around the world before the age of 30 & I aspire to be a well sought after athlete in the world" says Tsietsi Samuel.

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Now Tsietsi is pursuing his dream, this is after leaving his daily job as a Biomedical Laboratory Scientist and discovering that there is more to life than just doing something that your not most passionate about. This can be seen from his latest adventure, his "Road to Tokyo Olympics 2020", which started when he saw Luvo Manyonga win a sliver medal, Wayde win Gold and Caster winning Gold at the Rio 2016 Olympics and the above mentioned alerted him that it's possible to reach that level as well.

"It hit me that: 'Tsietsi you can do this, just give it a try' says the athlete. "Since I am athletic, I decided to make it a mission to go and start this journey." He also added that with the motivation I got from people, that was the burning fuel to my vision" said Tsietsi.

I asked Tsietsi what is his intention were, and what he hopes to achieve with all of this. His response was: "My intention is to Set a world record in Long Jump and break the one (8.90m) set by Bob Beamon in 1968 in long jump. Also to try and match the record set by the South African Luvo Manyonga as he jumped 8.35m". He also mentioned that Kgotso Mokoena as well is an inspiration to him (tsietsi) as he is the athlete that got South Africa a Silver Medal in the 2008 Beijin Olympics. I am a long jumper by category but will also do 100m, 200m" said the athlete himself.

Although he is currently training on his own, he could not let even not having a coach stand in his way. He has decided to approach an athletic coach to assist him. "At the moment I have been preparing alone, and I have spoken to a coach in Medunsa to assist mein my pursuit, and he told me that we will start early in the year of 2017" says Samuel.  He is very anticipant of what 2017 will bring for him. "I wish to bring home a medal in each and every competition that I partake in from the coming month, to the very big event; the 2020 Olympics. I will bring a gold Medal for sure" he also mentions.

We certainly have no doubt that this young man can achieve anything that he set his mind to and he has beaten many odds in his lifetime.
AFTV will bring you all the update throughout his journey, in both modeling and as an athlete to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Anyone who might wish to support/Sponsor Samuel in his journey can do so by sending an email to tsietsisamuell774@gmail.com
contact:081 047 8170

You can also follow him on social media to see his journey:
Facebook: Tsietsi Samuel                                                                                  

Facebook Page: Tsietsi's Road to Tokyo Olympics 2020                                 

Twitter: @tsikasam                                                                                          

 Intsagram: Tsietsi_Samuel                                                                               

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Accra Menswear Fashion Week makes its debut in the fashion industry with a big bang,and leaving the fashion lovers asking for more

 "Accra mens fashion week is an experience for both designers and models as we make them feel part of the event and present them with memories to last a lifetime"This are the words from one African most creative fashion director Mr Nana Mansah.

The Aftv have recently caught with Mr Nana Manasah to chat about the success of the Accra Menswear Fashion Week,which was launch this past April 2016.The Accra Menswear Fashion is the first menswear fashion week in sub Sahara Africa.the event was so successful that even 5 month later after its lauch it was still making headlines news on the national newspapers and other media platform.

 AFTV Q: Firstly we would like to congratulate you on the successful launch of the  Accra Menswear Fashion Week,how did the idea of Accra Mens wear fashion week and why only menswear fashion week?

Nana Ans: The idea for Accra mens fashion week was born out of my desire to see male models and talented designers of mens wear and accessories on the continent especially sub Saharan Africa get a major platform to showcase their creativity in fashion and sell the ways and lives of the African people through fashion to the international community.

AFTV Q: How would say you fashion week differs from all other fashion weeks in Ghana apart from the fact that its mens wear..

Nana Ans:  Accra mens fashion week is an experience for both designers and models as we make them feel part of the event and present them with memories to last a lifetime

AFTV Q: .Does the menswear really mean that no females models can be expected on the ramp at all?

Nana ANS:  Yes, it's strictly men, anything can happen in future though in terms of female models participation.

AFTV Q: Who are some of the key players behind this brand?
Nana ANS:  The key players are myself and a group of talented young people who live and breathe fashion and have a great deal of passion for the industry.
AFTV Q:.Who are your sponsors and with their sponsorship do you think you will now be able to produce a world class fashion week which can attract international buyers and media?
Nana ANS:  Unfortunately, getting sponsorship was a challenge and we wanted to do the show at all cost so I funded the entire event from my pocket. We are looking at securing sponsorship for the subsequent years to bring more attention to the event and bring international buyers to the event. However, we are very grateful to "Lifestyle Gallery Africa" in Accra for donating their spacious warehouse for the two day event

AFTV Q: What were some of the memorable moments from the fashion week..
Nana ANS: The most memorable moments were the enthusiasm of the designers and models during the event and expression of satisfaction and thumbs up we recieved from all over continent

AFTV Q: .Who were some of the noticeable people who attended the previous show

Nana ANS: The noticeable faces  were some celebrities from the entertainment and fashion industry in Ghana

AFTV Q: .How does your show contribute to the industry both in Ghana n continental?
Nana ANS:  Accra mens fashion week has now become a "must participate" event for designers and models due to the rave reviews we received for the maiden event and  designers, months after the show are still getting media attention for their various collections with newspaper spreads from Ghana's number one lifestylepaper,  "Mirror newspaper" thereby creating brand awareness and potential clients for their businesses while projecting the African fashion landscape in general.

AFTV Q: .Which other country apart from Ghana took part in this event?

Nana ANS:  Benin, Togo, Ivory Coast and Cameroon.

AFTV Q: The Accra menswear Fashion Week has been making a lot waves on media and is also nominated as one of fashion week of the year.

What do you think it is that has made this event as young as it is to make such great impact in the industry?
Nana ANS: It's uniqueness. AMFW became the first ever menswear week in sub Saharan Africa and the second after SA menswear week so people were eager to see what we had to offer and we didn't disappoint them at all. From organization, designers, models and everything,  we served them hot and fresh

AFTV Q: What can we expect in the next season of the Accra Menswear Fashion Week and when can we expect it?

Nana ANS: Expect an improved version of the maiden event.  We have learnt our lessons, consulted the right people and ready to put all that to practice in April 2017 when the next Accra mens fashion week will take place in Ghana.

AFTV Q: Who were some of the top designers and models who took part? 

Nana ANS: We had Barros Coulibally and Samarra from Ivory Coast as well as some of Africa's top male models whose names I can't recall right now

AFTV Q :How can the international designer's who wishies to take part applies?

Nana ANS: By sending an email to accramensfashionweek@gmail.com and we promise them an experience to last a lifetime.

AFTV Q: How people follow you on social media

Nana ANS :we are on twitter, 

Instagram:@accramensfashionweek

Facebook:@accramensfashionweek or 

what's app +233 243150698