Rochè Agenbag is so much more than just a pretty face

For as long as she can remember, Rochè Agenbag has been a queen on the runway, modelling her way to the top.

“I have been modeling since I was very young, but I think I only really started taking it seriously from about 2012, when I decided to enter the Miss Newcastle.”

This proved challenging as she was one of the youngest contestants that year, and going up against older and more experienced competitors was not going to be the easiest task.

But, Rochè shocked herself, when she made it to be one of the top five finalists.

“The experience of Miss Newcastle was absolutely amazing. It helped me get over my shyness and I got to meet so many new people.”

However, over the years Rochè has managed to bag winning titles such as Miss Jnr SA, Miss Congeniality, Miss Cosmos Fees, Miss KZN, Miss Biltong Fees, Miss Wildsfees and more recently, Miss AUCCRS (Abusekho Ubunzima Christian Radio Station).

She also won the Newcastle Mall’s Be A Star talent competition last year, where she won a R10 000 study bursary for the Newcastle Boston College, which she used to study events planning.

When asked who had driven her love for modeling, Rochè said she definitely drew her inspiration from her mother and grandmother.

“My mothered modeled in her younger days, and my grandmother, well, she is just my greatest supporter. She has attended and supported every show where I have modeled and she is just always there for me.”

Born and raised in Newcastle, Rochè grew up with three sisters, Talisha, Prishantha and Eunika, who also share her love of fashion and fashion runways.

“We are a very close-knit family who enjoy spending quality time together. With my sisters and I, modeling is ouropportunity to bond.”

As a child Rochè said she actually wanted to be a hairdresser but as she grew older her aspirations changed.

“I don’t know why, but it just intrigued me. But as I grew older I decided I wanted to pursue a career in teaching, as I love children,” she said.

In 2016, Rochè made the decision to venture on a new journey outside her borders when she left for New York City to work as an au-pair for a year, where she looked after a two month old boy.

“The experience in itself was just amazing, and I believe it gave me clear perspective of my own future and it taught me independence. I got to see many things and I travelled to San Francisco, Washington DC, Boston, Arizona, Phoenix and even Atlanta Georgia. It’s an experience I wouldn’t change for the world!” she said”

After her return to South Africa in 2017, Rochè decided she would continue to work with children and went on to study teaching.

“I am in my second year of studying to become a teacher, and I also au-pair ans care for two boys aged four and eight years old. I love children, and I love working with them.”

Her passion for working with children inspired her to also go on to doing charity work for the little ones, hence the start of the Miss Home Meah Beauty Pageant in 2017.

“I remember I was doing a teaching practical at the time and we were requested to visit Home Meah. While I was there I was made aware of the home’s financial difficulties and I just knew I had to do something to help them, and what better way to help than to put together a beauty pageant,” she explained.

She worked tirelessly gathering sponsors, as well as saving up her own money to ensure the pageant was a success.

Finally her hard work paid off when around 25 participants showed interest in the competition, helping the home raise just under R4 000.

“We are currently in the process of running our second pageant, and this time round, Stucky Motors has agreed to be our sole sponsor, so we are extremely grateful to them,”

The second Miss Home Meah will take place on September 22, and interested parties still have some time to enter at a cost of R100 each.

Her future goals, she said was to one day open her very own modeling school and also to host many more of her own beauty pageants.

Rochè’s advice to young and aspiring models was to always be yourself.

“Do not allow others to bring you down, because it won’t get you anywhere. Believe in yourself, and never expect to start at the top and then to stay there. You have to start at the bottom and work yourself up to where you want to be. When competing, show good sportsmanship and always be happy for others. Work hard and always show respect to fellow competitors.”

Also remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.