“I decided to open a modelling agency after realising that models in Zimbabwe were not being groomed properly as compared to other countries. We need to have an agency which will produce models of international standards,” she said.
She added: “Charity begins at home so I decided to open an agency in Bulawayo first before any other city.”
Samantha said she did not want to spoil her secret so she would reveal the name and venue of the agency on the day of the launch next month. The beauty queen said the agency would also be open to children as young as five years old.
“I decided to train the young children because we need to catch them young. By the time they get to high school they will be professionals,” she said.
Grooming lessons for the models will kick off in February. As with Miss Curvy Zimbabwe, Tshuma’s agency will also train fully-figured (curvaceous) women.
“Modelling is not only about the slim and slender runway models, people need to be aware of the fact that there are different models for different events. Zimbabwe needs different people for different shots, especially for corporate advertising,” said Tshuma.
After discovering that international models are groomed for nothing less than a year, Tshuma decided to adopt the same style as compared to the usual three month grooming common in Zimbabwe.
“It is a full year course with the Elementary, Intermediate, and Advance stages. After completing these stages, the models can then graduate. It will be a full course focusing on health care, body fitness, and make-up among others,” she said.
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Tshuma got exposed to the international modeling scene in 2010 when she took part in the Miss World beauty pageant held in China.
After her reign as Miss Zimbabwe, the model has not stopped focusing on modeling as she participated in a fashion show in Germany last year, graced the Miss Malawi pageant and frequents Ghana where she has a contract with Innovative, a fashion company. She has also been having meetings with other international models with her focus being on having strategic partnerships as she prepares for her modeling agency.
The opening of Tshuma’s modeling agency in Bulawayo will go a long way in assisting models in and around the city. The three vibrant agencies, Fingers, Strides and Ricochet which are headed by Sarah Mpofu, Sipho Mazibuko and Ricki Nathason have greatly assisted the modeling industry in Bulawayo.
It is to their credit that the following owe their successes at various levels: Oslie Muringai (Miss Zimbabwe 2004), Lorraine Maphala (Miss Zimbabwe 2005), Sibusisiwe Dube (Miss Zimbabwe 2nd Princess 2007), Happiness Tshuma (Miss Tourism Zimbabwe 1st Princess 2008) and Thabisile Dube (Miss Tourism Zimbabwe 1st Princess 2006).
