The petite Bloemanda, Bloemfontein-born model and a Brebner High School learner was only prevented from travelling to Los Angeles in the US only because she lacked a sponsor to fund her.

Thembi Masser speaks to the enchanting lady.

Miss Lichaba was born on 31 August 1998 and is in grade 9 this year. While she wants to be a veterinary surgeon later in her life, it is her astonishing achievements in modeling and educational feats that has caught the eye and has made her a celebrity at her school. She is proud of her school, she says. “That is only because it is the best school in the country at the moment.” But, surprisingly, her favourite subject at the famous, culturally English-rich school is Afrikaans.

“I am so obsessed with being a vet despite my talents as a model,” she says as a matter of fact. “I love animals and become so hurt when they are maimed and hurt. Though I do not have any, animals should not be hurt for whatever reason.” She is ready to be an ambassador for a campaign to ban fire crackers that are used so foolishly to scare animals. “I get so cross when people use fire crackers without thinking of our pets. People must take precautions not to traumatise our animals.” She has a vet-role model in her neighbourhood. “He seems to be enjoying his job, which is fine, and he drives so many beautiful BMW’s,” she remarks, giggling. “I have not spoken to him yet, but I hope to do so shortly.” To enable her to reach her desired destination to be a vet Lesedi studies maths, natural science, technology and English. “I also do other subjects like arts and culture, Afrikaans, LO and human social science (HSS).” But, she has this undying fondness for Afrikaans. “For a reason that is too obscure to mention, I love the language of Afrikaans, it fascinates me big time. I want to learn and understand it.”

She will study pure maths when she is in grade 10 to strengthen her case to be a vet. “I will also add physical science to the mix. I have not yet told my teachers about my ambitions yet, but my parent knows about this plan to be a vet.” She has not done any research about which subjects to study at tertiary level but that will be done in due course, she promises.

What is the job description of vets, she is asked. “I know that they ensure that animals are healthy, and they take care of their injuries. They also give them medication.” But her options are still open at the moment. “I have a plan B if the vet thing does not work.” That plan B is to be lawyer and “I think I will enjoy working with people’s wills.” She is in no doubt as to which university will she study at. “It will be the University of Cape Town,” she says without hesitation.

Despite her career ambitions and achieving many educational accolades in the process, it is her modeling life that has put her on the spotlight. “I am deeply indebted to Christa Mielmann from Style Model Management for her belief in me. She was also instrumental in securing my first sponsorship after I won my first title as Baby and Toddler of the Year when I was only four yearsold.” There is also Annaline Retief at Style who was always there for her. “Those ladies made me achieve so much in my short life. There is Sydney Mokobe from Bagaka Communications, Isabel Dreyer and Cujic Designs’ Tena to thank.”

Lesedi has been sponsored by Kempton Park-based Pro Image Agency in her travels and the insurance company Sanlam has opened an educational trust for her. She giggles again when she mentions that she has a honourary doctorate degree already. “I was invited to be a guest speaker at my former crèche, Unique Children’s Centre, and I was thereafter had this honour bestowed on me. This is so much…I have been on Top Billing and Kyk Net modeling… I have been on KTV as a dancer… I have attended workshops on beauty, modeling, and public speaking… I have been to educational seminars. There has been so much…” She plays soccer at school, as a left winger or attacker the ‘B’ team. (She professes to be the best winger in the land, even above Shabba). I have a merit award in cross country running and I have played chess from grade 7. I sing, occasionally, and at one time our school choir won the provincial title only to fail to travel to the national festival at the Coca Cola Dome in Johannesburg. She has been also been on the Sand Du Plessis Theatre stage at Pacofs, Bloemfontein when she was in grades 2,3,4 while she was in the school choir from grades 1 to 6. “My stint in the choir was so much fun in grade 6 as it involved singing the theme for the2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.”
Her achievements were made possible because, she says, she astute in everything she is involved in. “I am disciplined and have immense confidence in what I do and become dedicated and hardworking in all things Lesedi.” She says it helps to have a ‘nice’ family which is supportive. “My mother, Olga, has travelled with me all over in my quest to shape up my life. But despite all these activities, I stay indoors most of the time and I keep to myself most of the time. I have travelled extensively. Rustenburg, Vanderbijlpark, all over the Free State and just missed out to travelling to Los Angeles because there was no one to sponsor the trip. I thrilled both Miss Thaba Nchu and Miss Namibia when we during a modeling assignment and they fretted all over me. Still, a lot more others from as far as overseas were bowled over by my presence. I have been in the presence of the ‘Village Pope’ Tshepo Tshola and the Mayor of Rustenburg asked for my autograph. I have accepted presents and gifts from Zimbabwe, among other nations.

“Before I forget, let heap praise on the Free State government and the former Mayor, Papi Mokoena, who have helped me financially in the past during my travels. “I love my school; the Brebrenarianis the best in the world. It has achieved so much academically. Brebner is a good school with good teachers, with the only blot being a handful of learners that give teachers problems and are sometimes childish. Let me tell you, we excel in sports, big time. Drug problem here at the Brebnerian? Never! I haven’t seen anything; I haven’t heard anything (laughing loudly)!!!”

Role models
Patrice Motsepe
Tyra Banks
Kimora Lee Simmons
BonangMatheba

Favourite teacher
Mrs Mare-Afrikaans teacher

Charity initiatives
Lesedi has donated clothes to cancer victims
Has donated clothes to the listeners of the community station Motheo FM
Donated also to more clothes orphans of HIV/Aids victims

Hobbies
Reading- books (I have read Carrion Death by Michael Stanley three times already), newspapers Listening to music- gospel, R’n B, hip-hop, house

Sports
Exercising, playing soccer, chess, cross country running. Favourite clubs: Mamelodi Sundowns, Real Madrid (mad over CR7)
Educational achievements so far
Top Ten learners: grades 2, 3, 4 and 5
Merits
Diligence
Best Reader Book Prize