REBEL RADAR: es_hle.ww

Becoming is what she embraces, not perfection, but the soft, steady courage to grow. Esihle(es_hle.ww) is a multi-dimensional artist, expressing the fullness of who she is through a constantly evolving creative identity. Through it all, she leads with kindness as her quiet rebellion, reminding us that the most powerful art begins with embracing yourself, fully and fearlessly, despite all odds.

Amazing!!🌼First of all, I'd love to thank you for your interest in doing this interview, and secondly, please introduce yourself. Who are you? What do you do? And like anything you'd want the world to know about you

My name is Esihle, but you can call me Essy. I’m a 19-year-old girl from the east of Johannesburg. I can’t really define what I do because I do a bit of everything. I model, I dance, I sing, play a couple of instruments, make clothes, I’m just always challenging myself to learn new skills and express myself in all ways possible. I’d love the world to see that in me, how I’m always learning something new and constantly evolving

So very nice to meet you, Essy. I'm Enhle btw🐞As you describe yourself as someone who’s always learning, growing, and trying new things, from modelling and dancing to making clothes and playing instruments, I imagine that kind of creative evolution takes a lot of courage and curiosity. Looking back, what part of that journey has surprised you the most, either about your abilities or the way people see you, and how has that experience reshaped the way you understand who you are and what you're capable of?

Wow, great questions! And it’s really nice to meet you, Enhle. The funny thing is, whenever I decided to learn something new, it was initially out of boredom. I learnt guitar because we had one at home and I was bored during lockdown lol. I guess I didn’t realise I would actually enjoy all the things I learnt. It was in this way that I discovered a deep love for music and even fashion, and it was so surprising how passionate I became about these things, and I learnt that I was capable of doing anything I put my mind to. However, I’ve also come to learn that passion can only take you so far. If you want to succeed, you have to be relentless about it. I’ve always struggled with the idea of being perceived, especially in a negative light so I’ve often shied away from sharing my skills with the world but I’m learning to break down those walls and show the world what I can do because that’s how you take your passion to the next level, you share it.

So relatable because even for myself, I started this magazine out of a very deep passion for artistry and it took a lot of doubt and hesitation and strength from my side to push down those boundaries of perception and negative view. What you said about passion needing persistence, and the fear of being perceived, especially in a world that can be so quick to judge, hits a very deep place within😭. But as you start breaking down those walls and stepping into the light, what does it mean to you to be seen for who you are and what you bring to the table?

Putting yourself out there is so terrifying, I know😭but I think what you’re doing is so amazing and I believe it’ll take you far.

There’s a song I’ve been recently obsessed with called “Impossible Germany”. In the song, Wilco sings “There’s nothing more important than to know someone’s listening”, and I love that line so much because it speaks to humanity’s innate desire to be understood. I believe everyone wants to feel seen by someone, and I think when you place it in the context of creative spaces, it becomes even more desirable. But I think the best way to go about this is to shift the focus to you seeing yourself the way you want the world to. I know this sounds cliche, but it really does start within I feel. I think once I started worrying less about how people see me and who’s listening, and focused on staying true to myself, it became so much easier for people to receive me in a way that makes me feel deeply understood, which is something everybody wants to feel. It means the world to me that people are seeing me, the way I want to be seen, without me having to filter my personality to make myself palatable, and it really all started with me learning to be comfortable being myself always.

I've known you for less than 30 minutes, and immediately, I can grasp the wisdom you possess😭 I imagine that reaching that level of self-awareness and vulnerability was a long,g rocky road of mis-steps and blunders and so much stagnancy, and lessons that forced you to shed old versions of yourself. Can you take me back to a moment where you truly felt stuck or unsure of your path, and what it took mentally, emotionally, or spiritually to move through that and come out more certain of who you are?

Oh my babe, it sure as hell was rocky😭I think the rockiest time of all was my first year in uni. I realised pretty early in my life that I wanted a future in the creative industry, but there are so many things wrong with that😭it’s such a hard path to choose for yourself, and my parents wouldn’t let me, so I ended up coming to uni to study economics. I remember feeling so stagnant during that time, feeling like I was wasting my life doing something I had no passion for, but knowing that I was still too scared to fight for my dreams anyway. I felt like I had no control because nothing was going the way I dreamed it would. I wasn’t making music anymore, I wasn’t posting my little self photography concepts as much anymore, and it all just felt like desperate attempts to keep that part of me alive, but my heart wasn’t in it as much coz I just felt like there was no use. But eventually I got out of that stage of hopelessness, and I realised I had to make it happen for myself. So that’s what I’m doing now, trying to make it happen. None of this was part of the plan, I’m not even sure I had a plan to begin with, really🤣but I’m trying something at least, which is honestly the best thing you can do sometimes, just try something. I know I don’t know everything, and I know that there will be times I get it wrong, but I guess now I’m just open to it all, the good and the bad.

Wow your ability to be vulnerable and self-aware is everything, Essy. The fact that you kept going, even when it felt like you were dragging your dreams behind you just to keep them alive, speaks volumes about your courage and resilience. You’ve made peace with not always having a perfect plan, and instead, you’ve chosen to simply begin. To move. To try. That kind of mindset is rebellious in a world that constantly demands certainty and perfection. So, as you stand in this in-between space, not quite where you want to be yet, but no longer where you used to be, what’s your biggest hope for the version of you that’s still becoming? And what would you say to someone else who’s standing exactly where you once stood, afraid to take that first step and fall beneath the wrath of the world?

My biggest hope is really to come to a point where I’m proud of myself. I think that’s the whole point for me. I already am proud of myself for overcoming a lot of self-doubt, but I can’t wait to see myself in action, man. I want to see how far this version of me is gonna go, I want to see her thrive and apply all the things she’s learned along the way and unlearn all the negativity she’s grown accustomed to so that ultimately one day I can look at my life and say “I really did that” And to all the girlies and brothers feeling afraid, it’s really okay to, coz it’s scary vele guys, let’s not lie. But being scared means you care, so do it because you care, do it because you’re scared. Push yourself, coz I promise you’ll be surprised by how much you didn’t know you could do. I know it’s easier said than done, but make like Nike and JUST DO IT!

Where fear binds and keeps us locked in from the world around us, find a way to channel it into fearlessness. And into a "Carpe Diem" moment, and I think that's powerful,l honestly. What you just said is so beautiful, the idea of one day being able to look at your life and quietly say, ‘I really did that.’ You’ve come a long way from self-doubt to self-belief, and you’re still unfolding into everything you’re meant to be. In this gentle but determined becoming, what does success feel like to you now, not in anyone else’s eyes, but just in your own heart?

I feel like success to me now, during this phase of becoming, is doing just that, becoming. I easily could’ve let myself stay stagnant, but I didn’t, and I’ve succeeded in gaining momentum in terms of how much I’m growing and learning, and that to me is success. It’s the suppression of a negative thought, the quiet motivation I give myself when I’m in doubt, that’s my success. I’ve learnt to be so much kinder to myself, and I count that as a huge blessing.

That response is so graceful with subtle power behind it. You frame success not as a destination but as an inner revolution, which ties beautifully into the spirit of REBEL RADAR: honouring those who break norms, redefine success, and dare to do things differently. Choosing kindness over criticism and progress over perfection feels like a quiet kind of rebellion in itself. REBEL RADAR is all about spotlighting those who challenge the norm just by being authentically themselves. Do you see your journey, especially the soft, subtle shifts, as a form of rebellion? And what does being a rebel mean to you in your own life?

I see my journey as a rebellion against the world around me, but an obedience to myself. Being a rebel to the world means to ask questions, to challenge what is considered normal, but I think most importantly, to stay true to yourself regardless of the confinements society subjects us to. It’s normal to care what other people think, but I’d rather care what I think now and let that lead me. I think it’s liberated me, and I feel more powerful than ever because now I’m in control.

It's so profound- the way you put it- that rebellion is obedience to yourself. It takes so much strength to tune out the noise and lead with your own voice, especially in a world that constantly tries to shrink or shape you. As you continue choosing yourself, what are some of the values or truths you hold onto, the things that keep you grounded when the world starts to feel loud again?

I’m so big on kindness. I strive every day to hold on to kindness, no matter what gets thrown my way. In the creative industry, you get to meet a lot of people, some of which are not the most pleasant people. Arrogance, criticism and competition rule many industries really. So people can be cruel sometimes and it’s easy to let it get to your head and let it affect you but I try by all means to hold on to the kindness in the world and within me. I fully believe the universe is constantly in balance, so for every good there is bad, like Yin & Yang. So instead of focusing on all the negativity that exists around me, I try by all means to focus on all the good I have going on around me so that I may navigate my way through life with as much positivity as I can and I believe that all the good you put in the world will return to you tenfold.

The way you hold onto kindness, even when it would be easier not to, is such a beautiful form of resistance. It’s a reminder that softness isn’t weakness; it’s power and as you choose to be the kind of person you want to be, you incorporate qualities such as intentionality and grace and kindness, which is quite commendable in all honesty. As we wrap up this amazing conversation, can you tell me what kind of impact do you hope to leave behind? The way you hold onto kindness, even when it would be easier not to, is such a beautiful form of resistance. It’s a reminder that softness isn’t weakness; it’s power.

I really just want to share my passions with whoever’s willing to listen with the hopes that I may bring even the slightest bit of brightness to their lives. Even if I don’t end up being famous for everything, I’d die happy knowing that I did my best and I loved as much as I could and there are people I taught that kindness to and who’s lives I’ve touched in whatever way. I want to be a reminder to everyone around me to always embrace who they are coz that’s where growth begins❤️

Well, Esihle, you've definitely inspired me in ways that bring life to that light within. We've reached the end of the conversation and I hope every person that encounters you fills that bit of grace you have towards every obstacle posed against you. Have a lovely lovely day ahead

Thank you so much Enhle, I really enjoyed this conversation, you really spoke life into me man, have a great day love❤️