The Sunday News
Sithatshisiwe Gwaza, Sunday News Reporter
COMING out in the top three in his first professional modelling show has given Lungile Mzwandile Zulu confidence that he can make it on the international stage.
Zulu took second at the Mr Zimbabwe pageant that was held at the Harare International Conference Centre last Sunday.
He was beaten to the crown by Adonis Ncube.
The 23-year-old Bulawayo model is signed with Truth Models Academy.
He graduated at Fingers Academy in 2018 before turning professional at Truth Models.
Mr Zimbabwe was held in conjunction with the Zimbabwe models awards and 13 participants went on head to head on stage for the prestigious national recognition award.
“After seeing my manager, Pardon Khaya win the best dressed and his modelling agency obtaining recognition as one of the best in the country, I felt compelled and challenged to win the competition hence the hard work that made me get the second prize,” said Mzwandile.
Influenced by fellow friends, Mzwandile pursued modelling as a second career after studying electrical engineering.
Despite the win the youngster’s interest lies in commercial modeling and international pageants.
He is determined to raise the Zimbabwean flag high outside the country’s borders and in any regional competitions that hold international license as that is where his dreams lie.
The Mr Zimbabwe pageant is known for giving male models opportunities and exposure to showcase their talents as they barely get exposure compared to their female counterparts.
The pageant is the backbone of male modelling, breaking the societal stereotypes of male modelling and offering sustainable careers for men in the modelling industry.
The competition has now been considered highly influential and beneficiary to the top three winners annually, which is the source of inspiration for participating in the pageant, stated Zulu.
Happy to be one of the most influential people, he said that he was going to use his voice to impact socio and political change, basically enacting entrepreneurship projects for fellow male models and advocate for gender-based violence victims to have a voice.
