Modelling · Cape Town · Johannesburg
How to become a model in South Africa
Apply online through a Cape Town or Johannesburg agency’s own website, with natural, unedited photos and your height. Ice, Kult and D Model Management publish minimum heights and reply within set windows if interested. Employers need a Department of Employment and Labour permit to use children under 15 in modelling and advertising.
Official application routes
Which modelling agencies in South Africa can I apply to?
Each link goes to the agency’s own application page or official contact route — never a third party. Details are as each agency publishes them; where an agency publishes nothing, we say nothing.
-
Cape Town
Ice Models Cape Town
- How to apply
- online form
- Boards
- Women · Men · Future Faces
- Height
- Lists 170cm–181cm for women and 184cm–191cm for men.
- What to send
- A headshot (side, portfolio and upper-body images optional), plus date of birth and height; Ice says it will reply within 14 days if it thinks you are right for the agency.
- Address
- H102, The Hills, Buchanan Square, 160 Sir Lowry Road, Woodstock, Cape Town 7925
-
Johannesburg
Ice Models Johannesburg
- How to apply
- online form
- Boards
- Women · Men · Direct
- Height
- Lists 170cm–181cm for women and 184cm–191cm for men.
- What to send
- A headshot (other images optional), plus date of birth and height; Ice says it will reply within 14 days if it thinks you are right for the agency.
- Address
- 101D Regent Place, The Zone Shopping Centre, Oxford Road, Rosebank, Johannesburg 2196
-
Cape Town
Boss Models Cape Town
- How to apply
- online form
- Boards
- Women · Men · Management · Direct · Development · Citizen · Sports
- Height
- The form asks for your height. The page states no minimum.
- What to send
- A headshot, a smiling headshot and a full-length photo in colour with no make-up, hair products or manipulation, plus height, measurements and shoe size.
- Verify a scout
- Contact an office: Cape Town 021 424 0224, Johannesburg 0861 646 747.
- Address
- The Signature, 1st Floor, 4 Liddle Street, De Waterkant, Cape Town 8001
Warns that people are posing as Boss Models scouts and asks you to contact the agency to verify anyone who approaches you. Source ↗
Boss “Get scouted” form (choose Cape Town, Johannesburg or Durban) -
Johannesburg
Boss Models Johannesburg
- How to apply
- online form
- Boards
- Women · Men · Mainboard · Development · Direct · Citizen
- Height
- The form asks for your height. The page states no minimum.
- What to send
- A headshot, a smiling headshot and a full-length photo in colour with no make-up, hair products or manipulation, plus height, measurements and shoe size.
- Verify a scout
- Call the Johannesburg office on 0861 646 747.
- Address
- 1st Floor, Suite 104, 139 Greenway Street, Greenside, Johannesburg 2193
Warns that people are posing as Boss Models scouts and asks you to contact the agency to verify anyone who approaches you. Source ↗
Boss “Get scouted” form (choose Johannesburg) -
Cape Town
Kult Models South Africa
- How to apply
- online form
- Boards
- Main · New Gen
- Height
- Minimum 173cm for women and 183cm for men.
- What to send
- Portrait, profile, full-body and full-body close-up photos — natural, in clothing that shows your shape, with minimal make-up — plus height, age and your social handle; Kult says it replies within five business days if you are right for the agency.
- Address
- 63A Shortmarket Street, Cape Town 8001
-
Cape Town
My Friend Ned Cape Town
- How to apply
- online form
- Boards
- Mainboard · Original · Characters & Talent · Little Neds
- Height
- The form asks for your height. The page states no minimum.
- What to send
- A headshot, a profile and a waist-up photo (full length optional) with no make-up, sunglasses, hats or retouching — phone photos are fine — plus height, shoe size and an ID or passport number.
- Right to work
- The form asks whether you are a South African citizen and, for non-citizens, a visa number and expiry date.
- Address
- 24 Waterkant Street, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town 8001
-
Johannesburg
My Friend Ned Johannesburg
- How to apply
- online form
- Boards
- Mainboard · Original · Characters & Talent · Little Neds
- Height
- The form asks for your height. The page states no minimum.
- What to send
- A headshot, a profile and a waist-up photo (full length optional) with no make-up, sunglasses, hats or retouching — phone photos are fine — plus height, shoe size and an ID or passport number.
- Right to work
- The form asks whether you are a South African citizen and, for non-citizens, a visa number and expiry date.
- Address
- 138 Jan Smuts Avenue, Parkwood, Johannesburg
-
Cape Town
D Model Management
- How to apply
- online form
- Boards
- Women · Men · Mainboard · New Faces · Commercial
- Height
- Women 170cm and over; men 180cm and over.
- What to send
- A headshot and a full-length photo (side profile and upper body optional, up to 5MB each) — no professional photos needed — plus date of birth and height; it says you will hear back within 14 days if you are a fit.
How it works
How do agencies in South Africa recruit?
- Fashion boards publish minimum heights: Ice lists 170cm for women and 184cm for men, Kult 173cm and 183cm, and D Model Management 170cm and 180cm. Ice Models — apply ↗
- Expect a reply only if they are interested: Ice and D Model Management say within 14 days, Kult within five business days, and My Friend Ned says no reply after two weeks means you were unsuccessful. Kult South Africa — join us ↗
- Agencies ask for natural photos: Boss wants colour photos with no make-up, hair products or manipulation against a plain background, and D Model Management says no professional photos are needed. Boss Models — get scouted ↗
- Boss Models warns that people are posing as its scouts, in person and on social media, and asks you to contact the agency to verify them. Boss Models — get scouted ↗
- None of the South African agencies listed publishes a statement on fees, and we could not verify official South African guidance on modelling-agency fees.
Fees, contracts and safeguarding
What are the rules in South Africa?
- The Basic Conditions of Employment Act bars employing children under 15, but lets a ministerial or sectoral determination allow children to work in advertising, sports, artistic or cultural activities. Basic Conditions of Employment Act 75 of 1997, ss. 43, 50 and 55 (as published on gov.za) ↗
- Employers apply to the Department of Employment and Labour for a permit to involve children under 15 in advertising, artistic and cultural activities — the form lists modelling — attaching the parent’s or guardian’s consent and proof of age. Department of Employment and Labour — Form SD10.1 ↗
Under 18? Involve a parent or guardian at every step. Read the under-18 guide ↗
FAQ
Modelling in South Africa, answered
What height do South African agencies want?
- Ice lists 170cm–181cm for women and 184cm–191cm for men, Kult asks for at least 173cm and 183cm, and D Model Management 170cm and 180cm. Boss Models and My Friend Ned ask for your height without a stated minimum.
How do I check that a scout is genuine?
- Boss Models warns that people pose as its scouts and asks you to contact its Cape Town (021 424 0224) or Johannesburg (0861 646 747) office before engaging. Use the contact details on the agency’s own website.
How long do agencies take to reply?
- Ice and D Model Management say within 14 days if they are interested, Kult within five business days, and My Friend Ned says no reply after two weeks means the application was unsuccessful.
Can children model in South Africa?
- Employers must apply to the Department of Employment and Labour for a permit to involve children under 15 in advertising, artistic or cultural work. The application form lists modelling and requires the parent’s or guardian’s consent and proof of age.
Sources
Where this comes from.
Other countries