Top image: Nomfundo Mlaba
The Delush Fearless Tastemaker for 2018 is Nomfundo Mlaba, the stylish and elegant young journalist from Durban who travelled to Johannesburg for the second time in one week for the announcement on Metro FM radio.
“The week was just a dream,” Nomfundo said after the announcement. “The trip to Johannesburg as part of the Delush Fearless Tastemaker Top 10 was my first time travelling on an aeroplane. And I never expected I’d be called back.”
But so it was, and on Friday Metro FM’s superstars Masechaba and Mo Flava had Nomfundo and the other two finalists Azande Mchunu and Silindile Ngema in studio to make the announcement.
“Along with Azanda and Silindile I truly didn’t know what to expect and we were quite nervous, but Mo Flava and Masechaba were so cool in keeping us calm, getting us to engage on live radio and to treat us like Delush Wines Fearless Tastemaker finalists,” she says. “And when the announcement came and I heard my name, well, it was a dream come true.”
When we chatted to Nomfundo, she had already begun experiencing a part of her prize. “The Foschini shopping voucher has been put to put some use and some celebrating has been done with these delicious Delush wines,” she says. “But I really looking forward to the long-term aspects of winning this fantastic competition, such as the profile article in True Love magazine that gets written about me and my vision. And then there is the matter of being brand ambassador for this great wine brand.”
Nomfundo said her mind was already working over-time as to how she could further the footprint of Delush, South Africa’s most exciting wine brand. “There are so many opportunities to get the brand to be a part of the South African narrative,” she says. “Look at traditional music, for example. I love traditional African music and the art form is a unique cultural expression that can embrace Delush wines as a part of the African lifestyle.”
Our Delush Fearless Tastemaker will also be using her new title to promote her own personal brand. Already a star-reporter on the Northglen News community newspaper, she will use her social media acumen and individual voice to partner Delush wines in creating a brand story such as what the South Africa wine world has not heard before.
“I just can’t wait,” says Nomfundo. “It is a real honour, I am over the moon and my new story starts now!”
