Chronicle Editor
Mthabisi Tshuma, Showbiz Reporter
Angela “Angie” Nokuthaba Dube, a beauty from Bulawayo was crowned Miss Albinism Zimbabwe Queen at a colourful Mr and Miss Albinism pageant held at Harare’s Longchen Plaza this past weekend.
Brenda Mhlanga was crowned Miss Albinism Zimbabwe first princess while Midlands-based development practitioner Yolanda Rumbidzai Gwabuya was crowned the second princess.
Lordwin Rimire was named Mr Albinism Zimbabwe King with Nthandoyenkosi Mnkandla and Don Kuswatuka named first and second prince respectively.
Angie said the pageant was eye-opening.
“Being part of Miss Albinism Zimbabwe 2022 was a wonderful experience. I got to learn that a lot is still lacking in the community that we live in, especially the knowledge about albinism. I got to be part of capacity-building activities where we learnt so many things such as believing in yourself, boosting your confidence, the importance of teamwork and how to stick to your values and principles as well as being open minded,” she said.
The beauty said she got to experience the power of oneness through dance routines that they would practice and repeat if someone did it wrongly.
“I also got to appreciate the Albinism Dare to Dream initiative which made all this possible for us as people with albinism.”
She said her journey in the modelling industry dates back to 2019.
“I remember one day in 2019, my mother and I went to a shop and a lady there saw me and said she wanted me to model for a summer show. I was shy, but I agreed. My love for modelling grew from that experience.
“I started thinking to myself what I wanted to achieve by modelling and I realised that I wanted to be an inspiration to people with albinism that they can achieve anything that they wanted by just taking that extra step like I did. In short, I can say albinism inspired me to be a model for the people with albinism,” said Angie.
The Midlands State University Food Science and Technology Degree final year student said the modelling journey has not been all that rosy.
“The modelling industry has been a good environment for me although there’ve been some problems here and there. The only problem is that the industry, although it’s starting to accept people with albinism, was not accepting at first and that meant you had to work even harder for you to be recognised.
“That was a limiting factor for me, but each and every day, I’m striving to be better and not settle for less than I deserve,” she said.
A versatile creative, Angie is striving to breakthrough across arts disciplines.
“I’m a part time commercial model as well as a backing vocalist for Pastor Barak Music. People always ask me why I do modelling and Sciences at the same time and I always respond to them saying that I’m passionate about both. My love for Sciences was because of my mother who’s a teacher by profession, therefore I learnt to love school from an early age and would always say that I wanted to be a doctor.
“My love for modelling also came as a result of my dreams as a child as I dreamt of being a superstar who’d be a role model to people as well as a successful person. I’m also a singer at an all-albinism group under Albinism Konnect Zimbabwe,” she said.
Angie grew up in the rural areas of Matobo before permanently moving to Bulawayo when she was in Grade 6. She had an average livelihood growing up where her mother could afford “my needs, not my wants”. – @mthabisi_mthire
Online Reporter