My City: Joburg - Shashi Naidoo

FHM's sexiest woman talks about her passion for flowers, mascara and macaroons

I am ... bubbly, driven, passionate and a little crazy.

Where were you born? In Durban.

Where did you grow up? Port Elizabeth.

Where do you live? Houghton.

How did you become a model? One of my part-time jobs while I was a student was as a florist. I was delivering an arrangement to an advertising agent when an art buyer asked me if I was there for the casting ... that was my first booking.

What was the most important turning point in your career? Being booked to shoot a Cosmopolitan cover.

What's it like being voted FHM's Sexiest Woman? It's very busy. But I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy all the attention.

The best part about being a model? Travelling the world and meeting diverse and interesting people.

The worst part about being a model? The early morning call times and shooting lingerie or swimwear in the middle of winter.

Who inspires you? My mother is my ultimate role model.

The best lesson I've learnt is ... I will make mistakes but whatever the journey, my family will always be there for me.

How do you get around? An Audi A1 in sphere blue. I'm constantly rushing around and now I don't need to worry about my carbon footprint.

What would people be surprised to know about you? I'm a real morning person. When most people are waking up, I've already walked my dog, worked out and gone through all my e-mails.

How do you spend your free time? Free time is a real luxury but when I have it, I love lunching with my girls.

If you weren't doing what you do, you would be ... a chiropractor. I devoted eight years of my life to chiropractic medicine.

I'm predisposed to ... good wine. As Ernest Hemingway said, "life is too short to drink bad wine".

My most valued possession is ... a piece of art by advertising tycoon Nathan Reddy depicting iconic images of Che Guevara, Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela.

What do you love most about living in Joburg? I love the melting pot of culture, the energy, the sunsets, the summer storms and the cloudless skies.

If you were mayor for a day, what would you do? I would give all traffic light window-washers jobs at a glass manufacturer; take the toll fees to plant flowers along our highways to beautify the city; give one hour of free taxis for all drunk people to get home safely.

What's the worst thing about living in Joburg? Crime ... I hate that the last thing I have to do before I go to sleep is put my alarm on.

If you inherited R100-million, what would you do with it? I'd use half for investments, property, charity, etc. The rest would go on facials for everyone. We live in a harsh climate.

What music are you listening to? Adele, Loyiso Bala, Flash Republic and my icon, Beyoncé.

A book that influenced your life? I know it sounds cheesy but The Secret is a must for anyone looking for guidance and purpose.

If your house caught fire what would you save? My dog Annie - she is not a pet, she's my family and I will do anything in my power to protect her.

What are your creature comforts? Flowers. They are living art.

I always collect ... fridge magnets.

My friends and I like ... good wine, good music and a good gossip.

Perfect happiness is ... French Macaroons and Belgian Chocolate.

Everything in moderation but ... mascara - eyelashes are the only part of a women's body that can never be too fat.