WHO’S HUSTLING RIGHT? – THE GLOBETROTTING AKONA NDUNGANE

By Sivu Nobongoza

You know how difficult it is to get hold of a CEO or celebrities. Well, our lady of the moment fits right into that profile. On numerous attempts to get hold of her I was subjected to her vivacious voicemail which sweetly says things like: “if I’m not available I’m probably in New York, Milan, Bangkok, Sydney, Paris, Brussels, Maui”… while the voice goes through the many possible destinations she could be working in you kind of hang up to try and save yourself a buck or two.

Eventually when I managed to catch up with her publicist (damn, I’ve got to get me one of those), she was in India and unfortunately unavailable – electronically, until further notice. (But seriously if there’s any publicist out there looking for a manic depressant not-so washed fame seeker, join our Encore community and my numbers are at the bottom of my profile.) Akhona Ndugane (sounds like you’ve heard that name before) is a very gorgeous, dedicated and auspiciously well-traveled lady. Rooted in the Eastern Cape, we couldn’t help being blinded by her charm and charisma, which I suppose has gotten her where she is today. So we had to holla! Encore boys brace yourselves…. She’s a hottie.


What is your profession?

Worked in advertising for two years – not sure if I’ll be back to that, but marketing is my passion.

You’ve spent the last year or so traveling the world with Smirnoff, what has been the highlight of your adventure?

Wow, there’s so many hey. First of all, it was my first time out of the country which was a highlight on it’s own. The next best thing was Carnival in Salvador.

The energy and the passion that Brazilians have all coming together in the biggest festival in the world. Dancing with over a million people out on the streets.

The most fantastic part was learning about the African influences in Brazil. I was so proud to be African, everyday I fall more and more in love with South Africa

How did you get this lekker opportunity?

Lekker = HA HA HA, miss that word. OMG!
It was purely by chance, I guess God knew my path and I had to trust him. I’m a very shy person, people don’t believe me, but I really am. So me auditioning was out of the question. I was accompanying my friend to the Smirnoff Experience audition in JHB, after waiting in the queue for two hours with her, I decided that I should just go for it – it was a ‘nothing to lose type-of moment’.

A week later I was called and told that I was in the top ten for South Africa. The next step was to put together a nightlife video about my city – Jozi. Sent that in, and a week later two contestants were going to London for Selection Week.

The most grueling seven days of my life; interviews – informal and formal, challenges, team work and all that. Meeting people from all over the country who were all vying for the spot in the final eight. It was amazing. I was picked and so my life as a globetrotter began. It’s been mindblowing ever since

With all your international experience, it’s seems you’ve become a bit of a Smirnoff vodka brainiac. If you had to create Encore a Vodka cocktail, what would the ingredients be and where would you serve it? (The bar or club’s name)

The great thing about Smirnoff vodka is its mixability because of it’s purity, so you could do just about anything and get an explosion of tastes in your mouth
For me, anything that takes my taste buds for an experience, so thus far my favourite is a cocktail we got in Sao Paulo = Smirnoff Capeta, a little devil of a cocktail: It is currently on the Smirnoff website, with other great cocktails we had from Latin America.

Tell us about the Smirnoff Experience…

Basically it is 10 international people traveling the globe in search for original nightlife. Working and living together, exploring the aspects that make up a truly original experience which is Original entertainment; music, Original Socialising; the most interesting ways to engage with people and Original drinking experiences; out-of-this-world cocktails and different ways of enjoying. We create short films; write blogs, photo streams and phot stories reporting on our experiences and hopefully inspiring people all over to be Original and constantly search for an experience. You can check out www.smirnoff.com and follow the Smirnoff Experience with all the content we create.


I’m sure people often tell you; you have the same name as a famous SA rugby player. Are you related?

My dad says we are. Apparently we lived a couple streets apart in Umtata back in the day. It gets ridiculous though; people email me and send me messages on facebook thinking I am him.

If Akona Ndungane and Akona Ndungane (rugby player) had to get married, what would you guys call each other? Sweety?

You’re kidding me – uhm. Sthandwa? Thambo lam leKentucky? Ha ha ha.
I don’t think I have to worry though, I don’t like dreadlocked guys.

You have an advertising background; did this play a big role in advancing your career? And how?

My career has been crazy. I worked in advertising as an art buyer because I thought that would help me make contacts in the fashion industry (my first love) and then client service because of my field of study – marketing.

I worked at Stoned Cherrie managing the studio because I loved being around creative people, and exploring all forms of creative expression. It all led me to understanding what I might want to do. Getting onto this trip it all helped, especially the coordinating and brief deciphering that client service is, the love for creative expression and the fact that we will be meeting people from various industries who push the boundary and try be different when it comes to expression and entertainment. Advertising is an adrenaline rush and anyone in the industry understands a whole lot more about the world, the way it works, persuasion, dealing with all sorts of people etc. – I believe this is important to get through many aspects of life.

The next step for me is to travel the African continent, write more and pursue fashion marketing. All at once! Then write a book.

I imagine you have people telling you everyday that they wish they had your job. What wise words would you give them to help prepare them to be like you?

Break out of your comfort zone and take a leap of faith. Trust that what you want may not be the wrong decision and just get on with it. Stop talking and just do. Believe and let the universe guide you.

If you see Kaycee August (former controversial Umhlobo Wenene Radio personality) coming towards you like a raging bull on Viagra, do you a) make for the hills, because you know what that’s about… b) Put your foot out and trip him c) call the fashion police d) take a picture and send it to Sunday World

This is crazy. I would, call the fashion police, get them to take a picture for Sunday world after I’ve *by mistake* tripped him whilst I was running for hills in search for originality.