adminAuxilia Katongomara Saturday Leisure Correspondent
THE National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) yesterday revealed that only two modelling agencies are registered in Zimbabwe.
The licensed agencies are the Zimbabwe Fashion Week run by Priscilla Chigariro and Nominees Travel Agency School of Modelling run by Nomthandazo Sithole.
NACZ communications and marketing officer Catherine Mthombeni said:
“Every year, promoters have to renew their licences. We do not force them to do so but we simply assume that if they do not renew their licences then they simply do not want to continue with their business for the coming year”.
She said it was illegal for agencies to operate without renewing their licences.
“Promoters who have not regularised their operations are not permitted by law to operate or host any events in the country. When they do so, we approach them or they can be taken to court for operating illegally,” said Mthombeni.
The revelations by the arts mother body come shortly after Saturday Leisure carried a story over cases of indiscipline and unprofessionalism in the modelling industry that had led to the exploitation and abuse of models.
NACZ director Elvas Mari recently said his organisation was concerned that it was licensing and regulating operations of promoters and artistes only and did not look into the operations of the various operations of associations.
The rest of the modelling agencies including the Miss Zim Trust, local agencies that have produced the majority of the country’s queens namely Fingers, AM, Richochet and Strides are among those that have not renewed their licences and thus are unregistered.
The modelling industry in the country has been tainted by a number of illegal operators who have come and gone as there is no proper regulation.
AM Modelling Agency director Amanda Mtangadura insisted that despite being unregistered, their operations were not illegal.
“If you have not renewed your licence, there is a certain amount that is paid to the National Arts Council for every money making event that one hosts,” said Mtangadura.
Veteran modelling instructor Sarah Mpofu-Sibanda said her agency was registered.
“Fingers Modelling Agency has been in existence for many years and is registered with the Arts Council. We have complied with the rules and regulations of the industry since then. Our operations are not illegal as we pay our dues to the Arts Council and we have never crossed their path,” said Mpofu-Sibanda.
NACZ Bulawayo provincial arts manager Charity Nyathi clarified that the modelling agencies fell under the category of promoters and were entitled to pay $450 licence fees for the whole year or $100 once off payment to host a function.
A number of models have gone without their prizes after organisers disappeared soon after the pageants.
These have brought the name of the profession into disrepute as parents and aspiring models tend to be sceptical of taking part thereby denying the best models the chance to take part as they fear exploitation.
Annually, there are more than 20 pageants that are held in the country.
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