MEET THE NEWLY CORONOTED

MEET THE NEWLY CORONOTED MISTER ALBINISM ZIMBABWE

Kudakwashe Gondo was appointed the newly Mister Albinism Zimbabwe this month. The newly appointed Mister Albinism Zimbabwe,interacted with our journalist Tapiwanashe Rubaya,about his experience in the ramp battling for the position of being Mister Africa International. He also informs us more about some of the roles that his planning to make as Mister Albinism Zimbabwe.

Q:What will be your first aim as Mister Albinism?

A:My first aim as Mr Albinism Zimbabwe 2021 is we are approaching the IAAD International Albinism Awareness Day which is one of the biggest events in the calendar currently mobilization of resources for the event is in progress and we are appealing to organizations and individuals to take part and support the initiative as the event is slated for Saturday 12 June 2021 .

Q:One of the main challenges that is faced by the Albinism community is descrimination by the public. How do you think that should be solved ?

A:Personally I feel there is no difference between PWA and the rest of the community yes we have some challenges we face but that should not deter the public from viewing the PWA as equals as a solution most people with Albinism including myself we are advocating for equal opportunities in the economic and social spheres the challenges being raised by PWA should be heard and met.

Q:Let’s take you to the time when you were in Pageant,did you ever thought that you will be announced as the winner?

A:You know with everyone we always have this hope of winning or making it when we take up a challenge this being a national pageant most people turned up for it and meaning more

competition which becomes a challenge I was so determined to win I had to put out my all for it due to challenges of Covid 19 it delayed the main event of which I almost felt like not continuing at the time I had friends who were on my neck saying I shouldn’t give up I had a equal chance of winning the day before the event we met as contestants for rehearsals I met most of the guys I blended in and then I realized there was no going back I told myself this is the last push put your all if you win you win you loose you got a better chance next time So there is an incident that happened when the top ten was called apon during the event my name was not called when the judges called the male contestants top 5 back stage there was me and the other guy I was hoping they just say number 4 then making it to the top 10 is a better achievement after all so am great full that I made it

Q:You are the first model from the city of Bulawayo to win the title what do you think it means for the city?

A:Well am the first Male because 2019 Ayanda Sibanda was the winner as she was crowned the Miss Albinism Zimbabwe 2019 but overly being the first time to do it and win and be the first Male in Bulawayo to bring the title here is a great achievement for me am still excited and I hope it will inspire a whole lot of males and females as well the city of Bulawayo was dominant this year as most of the female contestants were part of the pageant and Nancy Mkandla made it as the first Princess also representing Bulawayo.

Q:Besides pageantry do you have any plans in jumping to other types of modelling?

A:Am a big fan of music and I can’t spend a day with out listening to music and I look up to AKA the South African hip hop star he has many critics in his career and he still stands tall his music his dressing and achievements he has made are an inspiration to me and am sure one day will get to meet and talk to him.

Q:Who is your Inspiration ? A:Am a big fan of music and I can’t spend a day with out listening to music and I look up to AKA the South African hip hop star he has many critics in his career and he still stands tall his music his dressing and achievements he has made are an inspiration to me and am sure one day will get to meet and talk to him.

Q:What paved your way to take part in Mister Albinism Zimbabwe ?

A:Am someone who has had hopes of making it to the media industry although modelling was not something I considered am always out to challenge myself and when this opportunity to take part came I took it as a challenge but as time went by I realized that there was more to it than just competing and trying to win it was more of an awareness to the public that we as PWA can take up any challenge that people can take that we can do things on our own all we require are opportunities and the awareness doesn’t stop as am going to work hard and brake the barriers and continue advocating for equality

Q:The male modelling industry has been facing a number of challenges, especially when it comes to recognition what do you think should be done to solve that?

A:That is very true the industry has turned to be biased on Female modelling industry more I believe that there can be the creation of equal space for both male and female opportunities I will give you for example Ms Albinism Zimbabwe Trust is working with both male and female modelling and giving them opportunities to actually get the public eye as they are grooming the contestants of the pagaent even after they hold these pagaents.

My name is Leeroy Kudakwashe Gondo I am from Bulawayo currently am a undergraduate student studying for my bachelor’s degree in Local governance studies at Great Zimbabwe University,also a visual artist I do fine art am the most friendliest person you will ever meet lol . I am talkative in a good way though because I always want to keep the people around me entertained and laughing you can interact with me on Facebook Leeroy Kudakwashe Gondo Twitter @leeroykgondo