By Ndumiso Tshuma
Future Nyoni, a male model, embarked on his journey to represent Zimbabwe at the 12th edition of the Mr. Africa International pageant in Sierra Leone, which took place last December. However, he found himself grappling with significant financial challenges that nearly threatened his aspirations.
Despite his promising career and exceptional modeling skills, Nyoni faced an uphill battle in securing the sponsorship needed to support his participation in this prestigious international event.
Tapiwa Rubaya, the director of Mr. Africa International Zimbabwe, stated that the struggle for funding is a common plight for many male models in Zimbabwe, where sponsorship opportunities are often biased in favor of their female counterparts. He added that this imbalance leaves many talented male models, particularly those from the Matabeleland region, at a disadvantage.
“Unfortunately, sponsorship opportunities are often scarce for male models, with many organisations and brands preferring to support their female counterparts. This disparity can make it difficult for male models to pursue their dreams and represent their country on the international stage,” said Rubaya.
Rubaya explained that the lack of support forced Nyoni to dig deep into his own pockets while also relying on the kindness of family and friends to cover costs related to travel, accommodation, and wardrobe for the pageant.
“Nyoni’s team worked tirelessly to secure sponsorship, but it was a difficult and time-consuming process. The financial burden of participating in the pageant was significant, and Nyoni’s team had to be creative in finding ways to fund his journey. Ultimately, Nyoni had to rely on personal savings and support from family and friends to cover the costs associated with participating in the pageant,” said Rubaya.
Rubaya noted that the mounting financial pressure also highlighted a broader issue within Zimbabwe’s modeling industry. He added that many aspiring male models find it tough to secure funding to compete on international stages, causing them to miss out on life-changing opportunities.
“Most male models struggle to secure the necessary funding to support their dreams. The lack of sponsorship threatens to derail their aspirations and can potentially cost a model the opportunity to participate in an event,” said Rubaya.
Despite these financial challenges, Future Nyoni stated that his wardrobe was a highlight of the pageant, thanks to the support of several designers. Nyoni is now urging other male models to take up the challenge and represent their country on the international stage.
“I want to encourage all male models out there to be brave and take up the challenge. Representing your country on the international stage is a great honor, and I urge you all to go for it. Don’t let fear hold you back because with hard work and determination, you can achieve your dreams,” said Nyoni.
Moreover, Nyoni appealed to private companies and corporate sponsors to consider supporting male models, emphasizing the untapped talent in Zimbabwe.
“I urge private companies to consider sponsoring male models. We have a lot of talent in Zimbabwe, and with the right support, we can achieve great things. I believe that sponsoring male models can be a great way for companies to give back to the community and promote Zimbabwean talent on the international stage,” said Nyoni.
Rubaya stated that the organisers of the Mr Africa pageant are now pleading with the Ministry of Tourism and Youth to provide support for male models like Nyoni who will represent the nation in international competitions.
“By providing financial support and resources, the Ministry can help level the playing field and give male models the opportunity to succeed and make their country proud. Nyoni’s story serves as a reminder that success is not solely dependent on financial resources. His journey demonstrates the importance of perseverance, hard work, and determination in overcoming obstacles and achieving one’s goals,” said Rubaya.
