SETTING THE BAR HIGH FOR LOCAL MODELS!...

It is usually said that in Swaziland any and everyone can be a model. It is unclear what the criteria it takes to be regarded as a model is in this country.

The media is part to blame because every person who claims this profession is willy-nilly called as such.
Two beautiful girls who fit this category beyond measure in Swaziland have managed to do same in neighbouring South Africa where the competition is tough and not just anyone has the luxury to call themselves by this title.
Coming from a country where basically any willing person can be cast as a model, Swaziland’s reigning ramp queen Coralee Kitty Vilakati was taken aback that her less than problematic height in Swaziland was not even close to the minimum requirement in South Africa where she sought to expand her modelling passions.

At times it’s not about how qualified you are for the job but how hungry you are. Her eagerness won her the opportunity to do what she loves in a place where one rarely would be afforded the chance if they do not fit the standard.
Together with her friend Nolwazi Snowie Simelane they have hoisted the national flag high, modelling everywhere from Mpumalanga to Kwa-Zulu Natal and Gauteng.

Glamour

On a bright Tuesday afternoon, Gcwala met up with the two beautiful women at Happy Valley Resort Hotel in Ezulwini for a photoshoot and interview. The venue is ideal as it is supposed to compliment the glamour that is associated with the modelling profession.
With news of a heat wave the following day, it came as no surprise that we could already feel its terror lurking upon us, it was scotching hot. The models are running slightly late so we help ourselves to some cooling beverages and man aren’t their cocktails refreshing!

Upon arrival the ladies are stunning as usual, apologetic for the delay and in that spit we get right into business. As we are taking pictures it’s hard not to take note of how people are in awe of the ladies. As if they were blind to it, they carry on like nobody is watching and our guess is this is due to the fact that being ramp queens, they are used to having all eyes on them.

Competing against trained and experienced models, the two Swazi women are always seeking ways in which they can perk up their talent so that they have much to offer, just like their trained South African counterparts. Snowies tells us of how she has utilised the services of an online mentor from the United Kingdom, who keeps her knowledgeable on new trends of the industry.
Local fashion shows sadly have a reputation for exploiting models by using their services with no form of remuneration. This is what the passionate models cited to have been the reason that pushed them to scout for opportunities outside of local borders.

“As I sat down and thought my career through one day, I made the decision that I deserved better than doing shows were you get nothing in terms of pay but popularity in terms of recognition from the media,” Coralee says.
Reiterating her model buddy’s statement Snowie acknowledges that the local modelling industry does not pay and in cases where model are remunerated, they are extremely underpaid.
She adds how even though she has had opportunities to model outside of Swaziland, she would not say she is at the point where she can self-sustain, hence her family still supports her while she makes her own efforts to earn extra cash through her fashion retail business.

An interesting fact about the two young models is both of them are parents to toddlers.

Passion

They juggle pursuing their passion with the every day stresses of raising a child, but from outward appearances, they manage both these roles quite well.
Snowie, in particular, is of the view that time is the most valuable asset and for this reason should be used wisely.
There are misconceptions about model behaviour which have become generic stereotypes. The models shared some of these with Gcwala.

‘‘The most common fallacy is models abuse drugs. I don’t think this is true. My guess is that people do not understand our line of work because it is believed that the risqué clothing we wear on the ramp still have to strut confidently, no normal person would have courage to do so unless they have ‘confidence boosters’.  Personally it comes naturally and some people are shocked that I do not even drink alcohol,’’ Coralee reveals.

Snowie shares that a common mistaken belief is that female models are selling their bodies. “Modelling is about selling designs or a product. This misreading gives modelling a rather bad image,” she continues.
A lot of models are of the impression that in order to get recognised they have to be signed under agencies, and although this is true to an extent, Coralee is the exception that has managed to independently get her name out there. She quickly adds that now she does want to sign under a South African agency in order to branch out into commercial modelling as so far her experience is in fashion and ramp modelling.

The beauties have dreams and goal they would love to achieve, some are academic goals. Snowie in five years would liked to have acquired her Masters Degree in Food Science, Nutrition and Technology and also branched out into commercial modelling.
Coralee’s eyes are solely set on becoming the hottest ramp commodity to have come out of a landlocked country where no one would have imagined a supermodel would be born.

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