Model Alleges Sexual Harassment by Soweto Fashion Week Operations Manager

Model Alleges Sexual Harassment by Soweto Fashion Week Operations Manager

Johannesburg, 6 June 2025 – International runway model Phumzile Grace Ntshabele has come forward with serious allegations of sexual harassment against the operations manager of Soweto Fashion Week (SFW). In an interview with Sunday World, Ntshabele recounted multiple incidents in which she says the manager pressured her for sex and subjected her to unwanted physical advances.

Alleged Incident at Pretoria Fashion Show

According to Ntshabele, the first inappropriate encounter occurred after she participated in the SFW Spring casting the previous year. She says that the SFW operations manager—whose identity has not been publicly disclosed—invited her to walk at a subsequent Pretoria Fashion Week event. Ntshabele agreed to participate, believing it would be a professional opportunity.

“Everything was fine until the SFW operations manager invited me to attend the Pretoria Fashion Week,” Ntshabele told Sunday World. “When I arrived, the first thing he did was hug me and touch my buttocks. I was shocked and uncomfortable but brushed it off.”

Ntshabele continued with the show, but after the finale, she joined the manager and his assistant for dinner at a nearby restaurant. Seated at the table, she says, the operations manager again crossed the line.

“He put his hands between my thighs,” Ntshabele recalled. “I asked him to stop; his assistant then suggested that maybe I should date him. Again, I brushed it off, and we continued enjoying our meal.”

Second Request and Subsequent Retaliation

Ntshabele did not pursue further work with SFW until April 2025, when the organization began casting for its winter collection. Although she intended only to support her teenage son—who is also a model—by accompanying him to auditions, the manager approached her again on 8 May. She alleges that both he and his assistant explicitly demanded sex from her.

“I was offended, and I refused,” she said. “I told them I am someone else’s wife.”

After rejecting the manager’s advances, Ntshabele says she was removed from the runway lineup. On the day she was scheduled to showcase three dresses, she was informed mid-rehearsal that she would no longer participate.

“I was already wearing one of the dresses,” Ntshabele explained. “The SFW operations manager shouted at me, saying I wouldn’t be showcasing any of the dresses. I was asked to take it off and give it to another model.”

The model insists that this retaliation was a direct result of her refusal to comply with the manager’s sexual demands.

Text Message Exchange

Sunday World has reviewed text messages exchanged between Ntshabele and the operations manager. In one message, the manager challenged her, writing:

“You’ve said a lot about me, and I think I need answers on the allegations made against me.”

Ntshabele’s response was pointed:

“Is it allegations that you put your hands between my thighs when you invited me to the Pretoria Fashion Show, telling me to give it to you once? Even your assistant was asking me to give it to you, just once. Are all these allegations true? Do you want to sleep with a widow?”

While the messages corroborate elements of Ntshabele’s account, SFW has not yet issued a formal statement regarding the manager’s status or any internal investigation.

Industry Context and Repercussions

Sexual harassment claims within the fashion industry have garnered increased attention over the past several years, as more models and industry insiders speak out about abuse of power. Ntshabele’s allegations add to a growing list of professionals—both established and emerging—who allege that the pressure to advance their careers can make them vulnerable to exploitation.

Local modeling agencies and advocacy groups responded to Ntshabele’s story with concern. The South African Models Association (SAMA) released a brief statement:

“We stand in solidarity with Ms. Ntshabele and all models who face harassment in professional settings. We urge any agency or organization to investigate these claims thoroughly and ensure safe working conditions for every talent.”

Soweto Fashion Week Response

At the time of publication, Soweto Fashion Week’s official social media channels have not addressed Ntshabele’s allegations directly. An SFW representative, reached by phone, declined to comment on the record, stating only that “these are serious accusations that require internal review.” The organization has promised to open a formal inquiry, but no timeline has been given for any public disclosure of findings or disciplinary actions.

Legal and Professional Next Steps

Ntshabele confirmed she plans to pursue legal advice to explore potential defamation and harassment claims. Meanwhile, she continues to book runway and editorial work internationally.

“I want to hold him accountable,” Ntshabele said. “No one should feel unsafe or be pressured into compromising situations just to advance their career.”

As of this writing, it remains unclear whether any other models have come forward with similar allegations against the same SFW operations manager. Advocacy groups encourage anyone with additional information—including other victims or witnesses—to contact SAMA’s confidential reporting hotline or the South African Human Rights Commission.

Conclusion

The emerging details of Grace Ntshabele’s allegations shine a light on the power imbalances that can plague the fashion industry. With an internal investigation pending at Soweto Fashion Week, both models and organizers will be watching closely to see how swiftly and transparently the matter is addressed. As Ntshabele continues her modeling career abroad, she maintains that her primary goal is to ensure safer working environments for herself, her son, and every model who follows.