> Source: https://thecastindex.com/modelling/south-africa — application routes checked 2026-10-01. Generated at build time from the same data the page serves.

# 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.

## Agencies and their official application routes

- **Ice Models Cape Town** (Cape Town) — online form: https://www.icemodels.co.za/apply; height: Lists 170cm–181cm for women and 184cm–191cm for men.
- **Ice Models Johannesburg** (Johannesburg) — online form: https://johannesburg.icemodels.co.za/apply; height: Lists 170cm–181cm for women and 184cm–191cm for men.
- **Boss Models Cape Town** (Cape Town) — online form: https://www.bossmodels.co.za/capetown/scouting; height: The form asks for your height. The page states no minimum.; safety: Warns that people are posing as Boss Models scouts and asks you to contact the agency to verify anyone who approaches you.
- **Boss Models Johannesburg** (Johannesburg) — online form: https://www.bossmodels.co.za/joburg/scouting; height: The form asks for your height. The page states no minimum.; safety: Warns that people are posing as Boss Models scouts and asks you to contact the agency to verify anyone who approaches you.
- **Kult Models South Africa** (Cape Town) — online form: https://www.kult.co.za/agency/join_us; height: Minimum 173cm for women and 183cm for men.
- **My Friend Ned Cape Town** (Cape Town) — online form: https://www.myfriendned.co.za/lets-be-friends; height: The form asks for your height. The page states no minimum.
- **My Friend Ned Johannesburg** (Johannesburg) — online form: https://www.myfriendned.co.za/lets-be-friends; height: The form asks for your height. The page states no minimum.
- **D Model Management** (Cape Town) — online form: https://dmanagement.co.za/become-a-model/; height: Women 170cm and over; men 180cm and over.

## How agencies 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. (https://www.icemodels.co.za/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. (https://www.kult.co.za/agency/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. (https://www.bossmodels.co.za/capetown/scouting)
- 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. (https://www.bossmodels.co.za/capetown/scouting)
- 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.

## Rules on fees, contracts and safeguarding

- 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. Source: https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201409/a75-97.pdf
- 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. Source: https://www.labour.gov.za/DocumentCenter/Forms/Basic%20Conditions%20of%20Employment/Form%20SD10.1%20-%20Application%20for%20a%20permit%20to%20employ%20children%20in%20the%20performing%20arts.doc

## FAQ

### 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

- Basic Conditions of Employment Act 75 of 1997 (gov.za): https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201409/a75-97.pdf
- Department of Employment and Labour — Form SD10.1: https://www.labour.gov.za/DocumentCenter/Forms/Basic%20Conditions%20of%20Employment/Form%20SD10.1%20-%20Application%20for%20a%20permit%20to%20employ%20children%20in%20the%20performing%20arts.doc
- Ice Models — apply: https://www.icemodels.co.za/apply
- Boss Models — get scouted: https://www.bossmodels.co.za/capetown/scouting
- Kult South Africa — join us: https://www.kult.co.za/agency/join_us
- D Model Management — become a model: https://dmanagement.co.za/become-a-model/