My name is Aphelele Zanenhlanhla Lesedi Chonco, but you can call me Aphsie ♥︎

 

I am a Zulu maiden, a believer, a dreamer who grew into her vision, a survivor, and a wholehearted lover of life. I wear many hats — fashion designer, entrepreneur, lecturer, writer, blogger, and passionate singer — each of them rooted in purpose and creativity.


At my core, I am dedicated to leaving a lasting and meaningful impact on the world. My guiding mantra is simple:

DREAM ♥︎ BELIEVE ♥︎ ACHIEVE

Her-story

  • 1993

17 October – Born to Ruby Phuti & Sibusiso Sakhayedwa Chonco.

  • 1999-2006
  • Completed pre-schooling career through: Tshireletso, Ngubo Yolwazi, and St Catherine’s School.
  • Completed primary-schooling career through Mzingwenya Primary and Grantham Park Primary.
  • 2007-2011
  • Completed Grade 8 at Grantleigh College.
  • Co-produced Fashabition – my first fashion show, held in 2011.
  • Matriculated through the National School of the Arts.
  • 2012-2013
  • Started my first year towards my first fashion qualification 🥳
  • My first Durban July participation 🐴
  • 2014
  • Shared My Testimony publicly for the first time, opening up with honesty, courage, and faith 🙌🏾
  • Continued my late mother’s legacy by running her designer cake business, 2Gud 2Eat with love and pride 🎂
  • Officially began my writing journey through the Inside Aphsie Blog, creating a space for reflection, healing, and self-expression ✍🏾
  • 2015
  • My father hosted my Memulo in celebration of my life 🥳
  • Made it to the Top 10 of the Durban July’s student competition 🏆
  • Registered UP PHELELE (Pty) Ltd 👩🏾‍💼
  • 2016
  • 2017
  • Pursued a Masters of Applied Arts in Graphic Design 🎨
  • Transitioned the Inside Aphsie Blog into the insideWomen Blog 👩🏾‍💻
  • Graduated with a Bachelor of Technology Degree in Fashion Design 🎓
  • 2018
  • Participated in BET Africa’s Made in Africa competition 🧵 
  • Completed the DFF Mentorship programme and showcased the Zulu Maiden collection at the Durban Fashion Fair  👠
  • UP_PHELELE hosted their first collaborative photoshoot 📸
  • 2019
  • 2020
  • 2021
  • 2022
  • 2023
  • 2024
  • Experienced a life-changing depressive episode that opened the door to healing through medicine, therapy, and a powerful support group 🙌🏾
  • Celebrated my 31st birthday and a decade since I first shared My Testimony 🥳
  • Joined the Inscape Education Group as a fashion design lecturer 👩🏾‍🏫
  • 2025
  • Today

Still here. Still learning. Still becoming. Still experiencing it…

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