admin
Rutendo Kanogoiwa Showbiz Reporter
SOCIAL media is the in thing nowadays and conservationists fear it is eroding traditional African values due to its “lack of respect” for anything.
Wedding engagements, breakups, cheating and pornography — which is said to be “personal” — are freely splashed on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and so forth. Within seconds a scandal or a lie, goes viral.
Gone are the days when women’s bodies were so sacred and valued that only their husbands were allowed to view their nudity on the night of the honeymoon.
Many youths are fascinated by the American lifestyle epitomised by its liberal celebrities such as Kim Kardashian who pose naked as a strategic plan to gain popularity.
Models realise it late that once they take modelling as a profession all eyes are on them as they become a centre of attraction. Being a model is not all about parading naked and showing off beauty. It encompasses the inner beauty with brains, flying the national flag high and raising awareness of the girl child.
Just because a few models chose to be careless or perhaps made mistakes in life by posing nude and making pornographic recordings, does not necessarily mean every model is like that.
The industry does not generate the careless behaviour. There are successful models that have not disappointed but raised their national flag high and are living a clean life.
Below are a few examples.
Former Miss Curvy, Tanyaradzwa Chikuni, says modelling is not only about strutting beauty but showcasing the brains behind modelling as well.
“The idea of walking down the ramp was a good enough reason to be drawn to modelling, not to mention that my height, love for fashion and beauty made me qualify,” said Chikuni.
She said support from her mother and siblings gave her strength to fight the stereotype that all models are of loose morals.
“Models are often associated with being loose and being judged negatively. It becomes a major part when the greater part of the population does not support modelling as it leaves little or no room for growth,” she said.
Chikuni said she survived negativity in the modelling industry by making wise decisions. With her only child, she is running successful business projects.
Sibusisiwe Dube: Former Miss Bulawayo, who is now operations manager of Fortress Hospital in Ruwa, Harare, did not end with modelling. She is a fundi with a Degree in Communications from the Midlands State University.
She pays tribute to positive grooming at the Sarah Mpofu-run Fingers Modelling Academy in Bulawayo where she received inspiration.
“Modelling for me was a process as the modelling school made me well equipped for the challenges that come with the industry. I was taught to be patient as the modelling job requires a focused young lady with strong values. All the beauty pageants I enrolled in succeeded after a long grooming process,” Dube said.
“It took a while for my Seventh Day Adventist parents to understand the modelling industry but eventually they did. All you need is the right support from your family and know what you want in life and you’ll be in the right path.”
Bongani Dhlakama: Miss Zimbabwe 2012 says she had a natural love for modelling as she started walking down the ramp at the age of nine.
“I had natural love for modelling and my family was very supportive as I started modelling in primary school. From Miss Bulawayo to Miss World my parents always stood by my side,” Dhlakama said.
“It wasn’t an easy job as people associated models with every bad thing but I was focused and tried to prove them wrong. I still want to raise awareness on modelling and remind other models that our nation’s values and ethics are different.”
Today Dhlakama works at the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) and is a visiting student at the Midlands State University. She looks forward to settling down with her long time boyfriend as soon she graduates at the end of this year. Mellisa Shumba: Miss Universities 2012 who recently tied the knot with her long time boyfriend.
The newlywed is now more focused on photographic work, advertising and catalogues.
“I survived the industry and pulled through tremendous support as I had multitude of counsellors who helped me define my standards and principles and clearly spell out what I stand for,” she said.
Shumba said modelling was gap filler between high school and university. She says she realised the industry was a calling and began taking modelling seriously.
Sidumisile Mabena