Storm warnings, an exhibition set that had to be rebuilt three times and strong winds could not stop international model, television presenter and actress Ronette Marx, from sharing Christmas cheer with more than 130 people in need.
Johannesburg-based Marx, 35, affectionately known as Ronny, looked back on 20 years in the modelling industry with an exhibition highlighting some of her most popular and meaningful work. The plan was to set up for the crowd and have proceeds and donations from this exhibition go towards her Christmas charity drive as well as scout South Africa’s next top models.
“We were off to a very rough start with this outdoor exhibit,” she reminiscences.
“We put in so much effort to design and build a special set and when we were all set up, gushing winds from all directions blew it to the ground numerous times. I had an amazing team and after rebuilding many times we finally won.”
“The rest of the day ended up being incredible. The energy was super exciting and positive, everyone was already in a happy and festive holiday mood. We met incredible people and even made a few dreams come true,” she said.
The exhibition showcasing the best moments from her illustrious 20-year modelling career and the charity drop was held on 9 December, at the Prison Break Market. Their walk-through exhibition was surrounded by restaurants, food and gift stalls and even a photo prop ‘museum’.
“Seeing 20 years of my life in one maze, there for everyone to see in one place, was a life-changing event for me. The end product looks extremely glitzy, but no one knows the pain, pressure and sometimes heartbreak that I endured to push through and never give up. 20 years that I will never get back but every moment was so worth it, she said.
Despite a rocky start, Marx says the event exceeded all expectations and they managed to not only support Igugulethu Children’s Home and Lighuis Old Age Home with a total of 130 gift packs but also scout who she believes have the potential to be South Africa’s next new top models.
“The 20-year exhibition raised funds that will go directly to the Uzwela foundation towards gift packs which contain necessary items like toiletries and a few special items such as soft toys and biscuits, which I must mention, were personally baked by Elize and Cayla van Eeden from Uzwela,” she said
The self-proclaimed farm girl from Bloemfontein has spent her adult life working as a film and television personality, with her “big break” coming from being scouted as a 14-year-old through a local modelling competition.
Frequently headlining big campaigns, magazine inserts and covers, Ronny is represented by The Circle Models in Cape Town, ICE Models in Johannesburg and Toabh in India.
Her modelling career has taken her from Bloemfontein to Cape Town and then India. She has now added mother to her job portfolio and navigates parenting life with her race car driver husband, Antonie Marx.
Marx has recently been named Brand Ambassador for the Opulent Models group, the biggest international model competition in the country, filling the Sunbet Arena at Times Square with thousands and creating the opportunity for new faces to start an international modelling career, just like she did.
The Opulent Model search has produced numerous runway models that can be seen walking runways worldwide such as London Fashion Week.
She used the 20th-anniversary event to assist the Opulent Models group with scouting the faces of the future.
“It was amazing to scout a model, show them at the exhibit what can happen and inspire them to try. It is part of handing over the torch in a sense and giving back. Not that I am retiring anytime soon! But to use what I have achieved as inspiration,” she said.
“This exhibition was such a success that we will be having yet another scouting event at the same location in January 2024 before the end-of-the-month registration deadline.”
The working model is devoting her time to helping the next generation of models.
“In my mind, my career is just that, work. New models and the younger generation see it
from a different perspective. They are in awe of you and look up to you so much. What you say
matters to them and that is such an honour. If I can be a role model, literally a model with a role in someone’s life, it gives my life and work a whole new purpose. I love the jaw-dropping expressions when I walk up to someone and say, ‘You are gorgeous, you should model’. 90 % of the superstars I see never see this in themselves. This is why I love it.”
