A FORMER model, now executive director of Miss Curvy beauty pageant, Mercy Mushaninga, has taken to social network sites to address her bitterness over the labelling of models as prostitutes.
WINSTONE ANTONIO
Mushaninga’s stance comes after a lot has been said on various platforms, including WhatsApp and Facebook among others, about local models.
This comes after several pageants were held in the capital on Valentine’s Day.
These pageants were received with mixed feelings by members of the public.
Speaking to NewsDay, Mushaninga said models should not been ridiculed with statements such as prostitutes without substantive facts, saying that this might discourage many with ambitions of becoming models.
“Modelling is a career and not prostitution and people must stop seeing models as prostitutes. The perception that models are prostitutes is misplaced. Modelling is a career and a profession with some people earning a living through it,” said Mushaninga.
She said although some models might not be disciplined that did not mean that all models should be viewed as prostitutes.
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“Models are not prostitutes, but they are professionals who use their natural endowment and creativity to advertise products and promote a society’s culture, fashion and style in a unique way,” Mushaninga said.
“Models should be seen as Zimbabwean ambassadors, not prostitutes. Models must not lose hope, but must live to their dreams and desires of their hearts.”
Mushaninga is credited for grooming a number of models for prestigious modelling showcases both locally and internationally. She is behind the success of models like Malaika Mushandu — Miss Teen Zimbabwe 2012 — Soraya Vallabah and former 2011 Miss Southern Africa Evelyn Gond, among others.
The local modelling industry has received a lot of criticism base on negative reports that have rocked some beauty pageants.
