The Sunday News
Peter Matika, Senior Life Reporter
TAKING up modelling as a career was no mistake for former Miss Zim-Tourism Samantha Tshuma, who first graced the ramp at the tender age of 10.
Samantha, who also happens to be a mother, does with no doubt rule the roost, if her most recent activities this year are sufficient testimony to the assertion that she is an undisputed Zimbabwean Queen of the ramp.
Her career in the industry spans almost a decade and has indeed been fruitful for her, as she has been able to land various deals with international corporations, magazines and agencies concerned with modelling.
It is with no doubt that her career was a delicately composed destiny, woven by mother fate.
A few months ago she took part in a reality TV show pageant — Miss Multiverse, which was held in Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, before landing a deal to grace the runways of New York, where she modelled at international fashion designer John C. Ablaza’s Couture and Culture about a month ago.
Samantha, who was part of the model worskshop facilitated by the Filipino designer Ablaza, not only mesmerise and enchant the designer with her beautiful and eloquent physique and toned figure but also got him to donate proceeds from the event to the underprivileged children of Silozwane in the outskirts of Bulawayo.
“There are great things in store not only for me but the country as well. This was and is an opportunity of a lifetime. I have been working hard towards turning myself into a supermodel,” said Samantha, adding that she was grateful to have modelled at the Couture and Culture event dubbed Couture and Culture Night Zimbabwe and also to be part of the workshop and John Ablaza look book photo shoot.
“I was really humbled to have been awarded the opportunity to model in New York, not only in John Ablaza’s couture but also Yvette Ndaba. No words can express what I feel right now and I am happy to have been a part of this,” said Samantha.
In a statement or rather a captioned picture on his Facebook page Ablaza shared a post by one of his friends — Jodian Forrester, which was also his sentiments: “Yesterday I had the opportunity to be a part of Couture & Culture NY 2016, an exclusive VIP Fashion Event! (My very first fashion show) I had the pleasure of working with International Fashion Designer John C. Ablaza & Yvette Marguax Ndaba.
The purpose of the fashion show was to help the Children of Silozwane Bulawayo, Zimbabwe and St Martin de Porres, Cebu City. The exclusive event gathered 150 VIP guests from New York’s most influential circles, celebrity appearances and partner with several media companies to cover the prestigious event.
One of my models was Ms Zimbabwe @mssam1 . . . she flew into NYC with her crew just for the fashion show. Such a sweetheart Thank you Nina Mua for the amazing opportunity . . .”
Ablaza held a series of workshops in Zimbabwe as part of an initiative by the US embassy to nurture the fashion industry in Zimbabwe.
The workshops are held in conjunction with the Zimbabwe International Film Festival, Mustard Seed Africa, ZedLabel, Kusika Design Centre and Hunnar Management Agency and have all left an imprint on the international map.
@peterkmatika
