With an unyielding spirit and great attention to detail, Tinuke Eboka is a multi-faceted creative. Known as Tinx, she brings a distinctive blend of style, passion and ambition to everything she does. From her early beginnings in Cape Town to her academic pursuits in Europe, Tinx has cultivated a wealth of experiences and knowledge that enrich all of her creative pursuits. 

For Tinx, creativity was her destiny and not just her personal choice. “My mom, very randomly, shared that when she was pregnant, she saw a psychic who told her that her daughter was going to be a great creative. Which is funny because my mom is a very serious corporate woman but hearing her tell me that randomly was very affirming,” she shares. Her mother’s confession deeply resonated with Tinx, who, from a young age, had been certain about creativity being her calling. 

She reflects on how she’s always wanted to pursue multiple creative paths despite being told she had to pick one and stick to it. 

“If I had enough hours in a day to do it, why can’t I do multiple things?” she thought. This unshakeable belief has defined her journey, driving her to explore a dynamic career that cannot be confined to the boundaries of a single creative pursuit. 

Tinx’s diverse creative pursuits, including DJing, content creation, and being a creative director, intertwine and pour into one another to help her shape her vision for her brand. “Every form of creativity supplements another, it’s just about different mediums,” she explains, “It’s all the same thing – the energy of creation. It’s just about how to apply that energy. Each creative endeavour has taught me something about the other and just being a creative.”

Whether as a DJ or a creative director, her experiences in each field have taught her the nuances of the industry and how to navigate it with precision. Tinx’s ability to channel her versatility in her creative endeavours has allowed her to thrive in each one, her most recent being the launch of her new fashion line – akobe. 

Akobe is a streetwear brand that embodies Tinx’s multi-disciplined nature and passion for creativity. Each piece celebrates the art of inclusivity and creates a platform for visibility, freedom and individuality. 

“I wanted to create a platform for myself, my peers, people I respect, and other people whose work I think gets overlooked. So I saw myself creating a fashion brand as a means to create a platform where I can work with other creatives and realise the ideas and projects we have,” she says. 

Beyond her talent and drive, Tinx’s journey is also a story of resilience and courage. One of the biggest hurdles she faced was overcoming the fear of launching her first collection, an obstacle that kept her work under wraps for nearly two years. 

“Putting yourself out there is terrifying,” she admits. Yet, through sheer determination, Tinx ultimately decided to embrace the unknown and move past self-doubt to take the leap of faith that brought her vision to life. 

Tinx’s fashion brand is also notable for its dedication to local production. Every piece and every talent that helped with the production of the brand was sourced in South Africa. 

“It was important to me to contribute to the local economy and showcase our local talent,” she says. 

This commitment to local production isn’t just a business choice but a value that drives her mission to uplift her community and create an impact that expands beyond herself and empowers those around her. “It’s about making a meaningful impact. I want to uplift my community, not just myself,” she says passionately. 

Her vision goes far beyond fashion. Tinx hopes that her legacy will be one of empowerment and inclusivity, a mission she strives for in every aspect of her work. “When I think about the people who inspire me as a creative, I realise they all have one thing in common: they all uplifted their communities. And I hope that my legacy is exactly that,” she says. 

“I think that the greatest thing you can do in life is to empower the people around you and just give other people a chance to stand in the lights with you, and that’s what I want to do.” 

For young creatives who are inspired by Tinx’s journey, she offers some essential advice: “Take it seriously and study. There’s so much technical knowledge out there, and it’s crucial to balance that with intuitive creativity. Keep adapting and keep trying, that’s the only way forward.” 

In an era that often values simplicity, Tinx’s approach is a refreshing reminder of the power of vision, dedication, and community. Her journey is a reflection of the importance of continuous growth. With each step, she is redefining what it means to be a creative and paving the way for future generations of dreamers and doers.