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QUESTION: How well can you fit an engineer and a model in one package?
Answer: Very well in an intelligent, beautiful and ambitious lady like Australian-based Zimbabwean engineer and model, Renny Chivunga.
Chivunga has the brains and the beauty — attributes that have proved to be incompatible for many, especially models.
But a degree in engineering and a number of successful modelling ventures make the core of her life.
While many a parent would advise their daughter against modelling, Chivunga says she got blessings from her parents to pursue the ramp more than scientific mechanisms.
Now she boasts being Miss Best Body at Miss Bikini Universe and, last year, Miss Ocean; and she does not hide her pride about such achievements.
“These achievements just go on to show you how important it is to consistently take care of your body. A beautiful body says it all,” boasts Chivunga.
When she relocated to Australia in 2001, she never thought she would be a model but the international exposure opened an unexpected yet successful chapter in her life.
She said she could not compare the Zimbabwean and Australian modelling industries because she was never seriously into beauty pageants back home.
“I cannot compare Zimbabwe and Australia, but what I will say is; I felt that if I worked hard and got my engineering degree I would be able to create opportunities for myself,” Chivunga said.
“I feel that having acquired such a challenging degree, I can do anything! I am so empowered as a woman.”
What is her modelling history then?
“While I was working full time and starting my diploma in frontline management, I decided to do a weekend course.
“It included etiquette across cultures, presentation and dressing.
“It was then that June Dally Watkins, a famous actress from the early 1950s, discovered me.
“She insisted that I would be wasting my talent if I did not model.
“She introduced me to photographers, and agents.
“She also proceeded to award me a scholarship to attend her advanced modelling course.
“Her belief in me just confirmed what God had already been speaking into my heart.
“At the same time I had increasing encounters with strangers stopping on the streets and at shopping malls telling me how beautiful I was.
“In a nutshell I felt like all the boxes were ticked and that this was what God had for me.”
Since August 2008, she has featured in fashion magazines, designer books, in addition to featuring regularly in the Australian Fashion Week and the Mercedes Benz Fashion Festival.
She has travelled to various countries for modelling shows.
Chivunga is one of the few bold women that declare their liberty and claim their rightful position in society.
“My inspiration comes from God, family, and things around me.
“I am determined to reach my full potential. I compete with no one, but look to what God etched in my heart and go after it with both guns loaded.
“My motto is: I dare to believe in the impossible.
“I really believe that. People who say it can’t be done should step aside and let those who are doing it continue.”
At a height of 1,8m and an 8,5 shoe size, Chivunga is that tall and imposing figure that does not stop at anything.
Her destinations in the world?
“I have travel goals, so if I was to pick a few from my list I would choose for romance, Florence or Venice.
“If it was for modelling work definitely New York, Milan, Paris and London.
“Finally for rest and relaxation I would want to be in the islands in the Adriatic Sea and Greece.”
Besides being a model, Chivunga wants to look nice every time and leave impressions wherever she goes.
She loves nail polish so much and she feels more attractive when the nail colour is pink.
Pink is actually the dominant colour in her wardrobe and Chloe is her type of deodorant.
During her spare time she loves to go dancing while the gym is her place to shape her body.
She also likes reading and watching movies.
Her favourite dishes are not complicated.
“I mostly like organic foods as close to their natural form as possible, with a strong bias towards boiled plain maize.
“When I am home (Zimbabwe), I love rapoko porridge and mutakura (boiled nuts).”
Chivunga was born in Mbare and is a second born in a family of five.
She attended Hallingbury Primary School in Harare and Rydings in Karoi.
For high school she went to Lomagundi College in Chinhoyi.
BY GODWIN MUZARI
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