Katlego dishes eye candy

This hunk is Katlego Banyatsi (23), the new face of Jack’s Gym. Thanks to his chiselled body, good looks and humble nature, the head model at X Models Agency is making strides in the local modelling and fashion industry. While Banyatsi concedes that there are several challenges besieging the modelling industry in our country, he is optimistic that the situation will improve with time and that the industry will be better appreciated. Banyatsi talks to Vibe about the ups and downs of modelling, and how determination has helped him reach his goals. 

If Katlego Banyatsi were to take off his shirt, many ladies (and gents) would probably swoon over his sexy body. The gent is hot, and he knows it. Getting one’s body into tip-top shape is an art that requires a lot of self-discipline and commitment, and he bears testimony to this.

Banyatsi, who was recently unveiled as the new face of Jack’s Gym, is fast gaining traction as one of Botswana’s most esteemed male models. The software engineering student at Limkokwing University says that he only started working out in 2014. Within a year, his physique had transformed impressively to one that is toned, with defined muscles and flat hard abs.

The opportunity to model cropped up when he came across a social media post inviting aspirant models to join X Models Agency, owned by Leatile Motlhalamme. Banyatsi tried his luck and was selected. He is now the head model at the agency, which he gives credit for giving him a headstart. Banyatsi says that getting one’s body into perfect shape is no walk in the park and that is why many people fall off the radar when it comes to fitness and body sculpting. “In order to achieve anything, you need to be determined and put in the hard work.

It is important to have an end goal and work towards achieving it,” he says. Being strict with his diet and working out daily are sacrifices he makes to ensure that he is always in tip-top shape. To date, Banyatsi has modelled for Keno Suits and was the face of the Grand Palm wedding Expo last year. He also took to the runway at shows that include Grey Goose Fashion show, X Fashion show, X Models and FNB fashion show.

Most recently, he sizzled at the Presidential Competitions fashion shows, both regional and national. Banyatsi says that a lot of work goes on behind the scenes in modelling. “Models work with different people, and before the show, they are expected to go for measurements and fittings, attend rehearsals and choreography classes.” He says that the day of the event is often the most nerve wrecking.

“We are expected to be at the venue at least six hours prior to the show. After we have prepared ourselves we socialise with other models while waiting to be called up for make-up and the final fittings. Strutting your stuff in front of many eyes can be daunting but you get used to it.” Banyatsi is overwhelmed by the positive feedback that he has received since he started modelling. The money isn’t that bad either, he says, but hastens to add that there is room for improvement. “One can make the average salary of an employed Motswana for a day’s work.

It’s just that the industry here is still small and modelling gigs are few and wide apart; this makes it very difficult to live off modelling alone because the income is inconsistent.” Banyatsi admits that it is still early days to make modelling a full-time career in Botswana. He also bemoans how models are not taken seriously. “What we do is often not treated like work and models are often exploited.” Needless to say, he remains optimistic that this will change with time.