The Sunday News
YOUNG and aspiring models from Bulawayo’s high density suburbs who have been sidelined from the modelling industry will get a chance to strut their stuff on the ramp as the new Miss Kasi initiative is going to afford them that chance.
The pageant, a brainchild of actor and model, Jabulani Hove and current Miss Nust, Sibonginkosi Ncube targets models from high density suburbs of Bulawayo commonly known as ekasi.
Kasi is street lingo which originates from South Africa and refers to high-density suburbs such as Soweto in the neighbouring country.
The targeted participants of the pageant are girls between 16 and 20 years of age from Bulawayo. The founders of the new pageant, Hove and Ncube are both professional models.
In an interview with Sunday Leisure, Hove pointed out that the pageant was meant to give an opportunity to talented models “hidden” in Bulawayo. The pageant also has a Facebook page also called Miss Kasi where those interested can get more information, updates and also get in touch with the organisers.
“The name Miss Kasi does not limit other models who are not residents of the high density suburbs, it is not necessarily meant for the Kasi people but it is open for everyone who lives in Bulawayo with or without a modelling agent,” said Hove.
He also said they decided to call it Miss Kasi because they are from the high-density suburbs. They are looking forward to holding auditions for both the models and the entertainers before the end of this month and the show is scheduled for 25 April at the Bulawayo Amphitheatre.
Ncube said the main objective of the initiative was to promote young and aspiring models from high density areas who do not have agencies.
She added that the programme was a result of the realisation that there was so much potential from the high density suburbs that was not tapped partly because the young people there were not in the know of how they could break into the mainstream modelling industry.
“We realised that there was a lot of untapped modelling talent in the townships. Young people who have what it takes to be models have somehow been sidelined from taking part in modelling partly because of their backgrounds. Some of them are quite complete in their body structures but lack the basic skills. Some of them don’t just know where to go and who to approach so we are offering ourselves to assist them,” she said.
With the initiative the two said they hoped the modelling industry was going to realise its full potential especially if there is going to be buy-in by the stakeholders in the industry.
Ncube, however, said that they were the ones currently funding the programme as they have not yet secured a sponsor.
