The February 2022 Issue

Ajok Makuc, Jackson Malinga and Jimai Hoth Reflect on New Beginnings

By Sheilla Clara | February 10, 2022

“Growing up, my dreams oscillated from wanting to be a doctor, to engineer and pilot,” 21-year-old Ajok Makuc tells Satisfashion UG. The Mass Communication student was scouted by Joram Model Management last October, and is readying herself to pursue yet another new. “I’ve always loved fashion. I remember owning a collection of Barbie dolls, for which I’d design clothes,” she continues.

Now that she’s working with Joram Model Management, one of Africa’s top modelling and talent agencies, Makuc is ecstatic. “I want to be represented internationally by the end of this year and at least walk a season, I’m doing my best to see this through,” she says.

New beginnings are invigorating but also quite scary. For 19-year-old Jimai Hoth, who was scouted last December, starting out in an industry that thrives on rejection is scary. “I’ve read that there is too much rejection,” she muses. “However, I have always had that belief that if you are passionate about something, you will withstand whatever challenges come your way.”

Talking about passion, Jackson Tukei Malinga can pen a whole book about the subject. The 24-year-old landed a placement at Independent Model Management in Milan, and was due to travel to the city to meet his new agents, only for the pandemic to strike and disrupt everything. After almost two years of waiting, he is now in Milan to pick up what he almost lost.

“In an industry directly affected by the very first lockdown, a model from Kampala gets signed to an Italian agency. He then makes appearances in magazines in European magazines such as The Art of Portrait, GMARO and Italian Vogue. All this happening during a pandemic,” he tells me over the phone from his new home in Milan.

“I am looking at doing my best to explore all the possibilities this business can offer.”

The three models share something in common – a new spirit. ‘New Year, New Me’ as you might loosely refer to it. For our February cover story, we had a chatted with them about new beginnings and love, because the spirit of love is just as contagious.

Jimai Hoth:

Modelling is tough. What has been the most challenging part of your experience as a model so far?

I have always had that belief that if you are passionate about something, you will withstand whatever challenges come your way. The most challenging part, at the start, was watching my weight. You have to follow a strict diet in order to stay in shape.

The next thing is rejection. I’ve read that there is too much rejection in fashion. However, it’s not like there’s no rejection elsewhere, so you just have to keep going. The international business is quite cutthroat and that’s the reality of it. You just have to keep going. Those would be the most challenging things I know about modelling.

As a child, did you ever have a nickname?

My family nicknamed me “the stubborn girl” because I was so stubborn. I’d call everyone that cared to listen to watch me sing, dance or model. Whenever a visitor came over, I’d be the first person to run and welcome them in. I’d go ahead to tell them about my numerous talents; singing, dancing, swimming and modelling. I was just too playful and the life of the home.

If you were to get superhero powers, which superhero would you prefer to be?

I would definitely want to be Wonder Woman because she did so many amazing things. She stands for what’s true and wants the best out of life. I’d use the superpowers to make the world listen to me as present modelling in a positive light. It’s a wonderful career that has impacted lives and economies.

I would make sure we all appreciate each other’s dreams and passions. Because if we all went after what we desired, the world would be a better place for everyone in it. I don’t have any super powers, so I believe I can only use my own experience to prove that yes, you can follow your passion and win at it.

Valentine’s Day is a big deal. Does it mean anything to you?

Valentine’s Day is a special day, but I believe each and every day is just as special. You don’t wait for Valentine’s to express love to those you care about. A day shouldn’t pass without you making someone feel special. I always celebrate Valentine’s day with my family. It’s another opportunity for us to buy each other gifts and spend time together.

Jimai Hoth in MulC UG dress
Accessory – Green Amba

Pant Suit – HL Couture
Accessory – Green Amba

What are your New Year resolutions?

My New Year resolution is to be myself. We have a lot of people we look up to, a lot of models that inspire us, but I want to be myself, because I believe everybody has something to offer. That’s my New Year resolution.

By the will of God, I am very ready to achieve that and everything else. I’m looking forward to starting my new season month. I can’t wait to work with the biggest designers and photographers in the world. I might never know what the future holds, but I believe it can be bright if I dream and put in the work.

Malinga Jackson:

You recently moved to Italy, things work differently over there. What do you love the most about it?

Well, Milan is a city rooted in its culture. Its art, architecture, entertainment industry, literature and music. There’s something different about their architecture, monuments, books and food that self-explains their rich heritage.

The hospitality of the people alone is exceptional. Italians are very friendly people. They are very welcoming to strangers. I was blown away by their love for people.

What do you miss the most about home when you are there?

I miss the local food. Food here is good. The weather is new and different, yet it’s our local food that I miss the most. I also miss drinking ‘pot water’, which I enjoy a lot.

This is a fresh start for you, do you feel any pressure to succeed?

Pressure to succeed? Not a bit, I have risen to this level mainly because of two things; One, God. Every step in my career has had a divine grace that would make anyone think modelling is easy. Think about this; in an industry directly affected by the very first lockdown, a lockdown that this generation has not seen before, a model from Kampala gets signed in Milan, Italy. A model from Uganda makes appearances in magazines in London; The Art of Portrait Magazine, GMARO and an appearance in the Italian Vogue. All this happening during a pandemic.

Secondly, I am blessed to have a solid management team at Joram Model Management. They have so much faith in me and that what keeps me going. Besides, God hasn’t gotten me this far to fail.

What are your prospects for 2022?

I am looking at doing my best to explore all the possibilities this business can offer; catwalk shows, campaigns and collaborations. I plan to travel a lot too. I also want to finish my Engineering degree. All this aside, I am also open to God’s plans taking lead.

How would you define love?

Love, wow… Love, to me, is an intense liking for someone. It’s also a feeling that challenges you to be a better person. Love is kind, unselfish, transforming and yet above all, caring.

Any plans for Valentine’s day?

Valentine’s is a normal day for me. I will live it normally; I will wake up and go to work. Nothing out of the ordinary.

Where did you grow up? What are your fondest memories of the place?

I grew up in a community that lay on the boundaries of Mutungo and Mbuya in Nakawa, a Kampala suburb. All my childhood memories were created there. It nurtured me, gave me the discipline that has made me the man that I am today. I learned to be humble. I learned to appreciate life for what it is. And also, to have little and still be happy and content.

Ajok Makuc:

You recently signed to JMM. How did that feel?

Signing with JMM is a dream come true. In Uganda, if it’s not JMM then it’s not any other agency. It’s quite unbelievable that I’m now a JMM girl. Well, I attended a JMM Masterclass around June 2021. The goal was for the team to notice me, which happened. In August, after a trip home in Juba, South Sudan, I took a selfie and shared it on Instagram. Joram saw it and called me in immediately. The rest has been history.

It’s just three months so far and I have done a show and a couple of other projects. I should say that I like how everything is going and I believe I’m developing steadily.

Was modelling your dream career?

Growing up, my dreams oscillated from wanting to be a doctor, to an engineer and pilot. However, one thing I was sure of was that I always loved fashion. I remember owning a collection of Barbie dolls, for which I’d design clothes.

In high school, I remember a time I saved my class from losing during inter-class MDD competitions by scoring 99% in Fashion and design. I was always referred to as model because of my height and hoe I carried myself. After high school, I realized that it was actually a passion that I needed to explore.

What are your plans for 2022?

Well, I have school. I want to work on myself and be a better version of me. Self-growth physically, emotionally and psychologically. I want to be represented internationally by the end of this year and at least walk a season, I’m doing my best to see this through and trusting God with it as well.

You’re still in university. How are you juggling a demanding course with this budding career?

Luckily for me, schedules don’t collide because if anything comes up at the agency, communication is always made ahead of time so there’s enough time to plan.

Do you celebrate Valentine’s day?

Well, I heard Valentine was a patron saint for lovers. I used to celebrate it with my family. We would exchange flowers and gifts. It’s only this year that I found out that it’s a day for lovers. I’m not celebrating it because I’m not romantically involved with anyone at the moment.