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Yet another local Model Search! |
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 By:Mpho Laing
Gemstones - “Our desire to unearth the hidden human gems in our country”
Yet another local model search begins, with yet another major sponsorship by a mobile phone network. August 22nd at Botswana Craft was where the media and super-model hopefuls joined the partners of Gemstones Model Search (Mascom, Wilhelmina Models and Lavania Holdings) at the launch of their pursuit to unearth another local supermodel. “Gemstones, a competition which will give one stunning Motswana female a year’s representation with Wilhelmina Models, a renowned New York Model Agency, signals the development of the modeling industry in Botswana. As Botswana’s Leading Mobile Operator, we encourage societal growth and development of new industries which contribute to employment creation. We are honored that like-minded organizations, namely Department of Youth and Culture, Mobitel, Yarona Fm and Mmegi have also partnered in Gemstones as associate sponsors,” shared Mrs Dzene Makhwade-Seboni, Mascom’s Chief Marketing Officer.
The interesting fact about this year’s search is that Lavania Holdings- a newly launched entertainment company, is run by the same organizer from last year’s Botswana International Model Search. The competition saw 15 year old Tebatso Tshuma scoop the overall prize of P25 000 and a year’s contract with world famous Trump Models but the was event was later marred by bad press and claims of late delivery on the part of the sponsors ( which seems to be the norm with local beauty and fashion events locally.)
When asked why this particular search should be given the benefit of doubt, Collin Nawala from Lavania Holdings bluntly stated that this time around their major sponsor is a credible and reputable company. A more diplomatic Makhwande-Seboni explained further, “As a company that maintains a tradition of excellence, Mascom would not associate itself with any activity that may in the future prove otherwise, thus our satisfaction in partnering with this particular project.”
Tony Perkins, who has for the last twenty-years been scouting for modeling agencies such as Ford, Next and currently Director of Scouting at Vision Model Management in Los Angeles, expressed his excitement to be in Botswana and scouting for the next big model from Botswana. To concerned mothers, he acknowledged the fact that the modeling industry’s negative image which is associated to eating disorders and the abuse of drugs is a difficult one to monitor, but stated that they as an agency have a non-tolerance policy of such habits. He confirmed that Wilhelmina Models ran tests and had their models under a strict monitoring system that resulted in girls being sent back home if those kind of abuses were identified.
Gemstones is looking for 1.70 meters tall females, between the ages of 16 and 24years. The registration fee is free and will be running from the 1st September to the 3rd December and advertised through print media and all Mascom outlets countrywide. It was confirmed that a team of international talent scouts will be at the auditions that will be held in Gaborone on the 5th and 6th of December to select finalists for the grand finale to be held at a glitzy event yet to be revealed . For more information call 71635452 or 71309920, weekdays and office hours only.
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