Please could you describe what you do in a sentence and why. 

I am an interior architect/designer. The reason I do what I do is because I am insanely passionate about remodeling, styling, curating and dressing spaces.

 

When did the creative bug bite?

The creative bug actually bit in my early childhood days, I think I was still in my mid primary school days by then. Just that I thought I was going to end up being a fashion designer; I used to enjoy drawing brides in dresses and shoes, I remember my favorite shoe to draw was a sharp nose knee high boot. As I grew older, I think it between my late primary school days and my early high school days. I discovered interior design while watching Top Billing with my Grandmother, and that was the beginning of it all.

 

Did you always want to do, what you currently do?

For the longest time I have always know that if I don’t end up dressing people I am going to end up remodeling, dressing and curating spaces

 

What is the best thing about your work?

The beauty of having to transform a space into something a client could never have imagined possible and having to observe their priceless reaction towards the outcome. 

 

Explain the concept/inspiration behind your favorite project 

The concept and inspiration behind this project purely comes from understanding who the space is designed for and how it is going to be used. This home was designed for young and vibrant couples that are all about having fun and they have an extensive appreciation for art. 

 

What is the motto you live by?

“You will win if you don’t quit.” I read this somewhere in Kimora Lee Simmons book titled Fabulousity, and it stayed with me since. 

 

What makes you happy?

Being free makes me happy, whether it is financial freedom or the freedom to choose how I want my future to be. Freedom in general makes me happy. The freedom to become whoever and whatever I want to be.

 

Where do you currently live and work?

I live in Pretoria west. I am working part time at Jvr Architects as a Junior Interior Designer and I also work for myself (Tshepo Sealetsa Studio) when I am not at Jvr Architects. 

 

Describe how you got to your current position?

Through hard work honestly although I wouldn’t say I am where I want to be but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Working hard, being stubborn about your dreams and what you strongly believe in. Sometimes if you are knocking on a door and there is no response or a sign of that door opening, you’ve got to kick that door off its hinges. 

 

Describe how you were chosen as one of the Emerging Creatives at the Design Indaba. Why exactly do you think you were chosen?

I don’t think there was much I did, my work spoke for itself. And I think the fact that I was still doing Win a home when I applied, I think that was a plus as well because the panel that was reviewing our applications could see that I am really the one to watch in my industry. 

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Explain/Describe your Creative Process

A great part of my creative process entails inspiration and being inspired, I promise you I cannot do anything without inspiration. Once I get inspiration I can then build around it to create whatever it is I will be working on at that moment. 

 

Could you please list some of your biggest achievements? 

• Being among the top three finalists of Win a home season 4, and getting to win the viewer’s choice prize at the end of the season.  (Win a home is a SABC 3 Interior Design reality show, which aired every Friday for a period of three months.) 

• Getting to be among the four chosen CoLab mentees for Design Joburg 2018 and getting to be mentored by the renowned architect Mr Joe van Rooyen, director and lead-architect of Jvr Architects. And getting to make my third appearance on top billing which for me personally it is a big deal.

•   Being among the top 40 list of Design Indaba’s emerging creatives, class of 2018 and being listed under the 40 creatives to watch in 2018.

 

What are your thoughts on the Afrikan Creative Industry? 

I think it is growing at what I would call a very exiting rate I cannot wait to see what the future of industry holds. 

 

How do you think the Afrikan Creative industry is moving forward? 

It’s becoming more diverse. It is really interesting to see it not only being as one dimensional as it used to be there are more and more creatives of colour emerging. I really appreciate the diversity. 

 

Do you think that Afrikan Creatives have a lot to offer in terms of the Global Creative Market?

I would like to think so, seeing that more and more international creatives are looking into Africa for inspiration. 

 

How are you contributing to the Afrikan Creative Industry?

By remaining true to my creative identity and myself. 

 

Are there any Afrikan Creatives that influence your work? If so please name and state why they influence you as a creative. 

I would say the likes of Banele Khoza, Rich Mnisi well I could name a few. I really appreciate how truly authentic they are, I mean their brands are a true reflection of who they are and that’s exactly what I 3hope to achieve with my brand. I really want my brand to resemble who I am and what I stand for. 

 

Has social media made an influence on the success of your work? If so how? 

I can’t really say as I don’t really upload much of my work on social media, but I am working on it as I want the work I put out there to fully represent what my brand is all about. 

 

How can people connect with you if they would like to?

Instagram: @tshepo_sealetsa

Twitter:@tshepo_sealetsa

Facebook:Tshepo Sealetsa

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