Patience Samantha Tshuma is a 26-year-old woman who lives in Harare, Zimbabwe. As she narrated to The Weight She Carries, her interest in modelling began when she was young.
I grew up with a passion for modelling. I remember when I was doing my primary school, I would take part in modelling competitions and would model for people at home. They never took me seriously.
My parents would discourage me from modelling, saying that it is for prostitutes. They would tell me to focus on school and not be one of the prostitutes. As I grew older, I realized that I was more into the beauty industry than anything else. I made it a point to prove to my parents that modelling is not what they thought it was.
When you mention modelling to people, many think you want to sell your body, or focus on the fact that sometimes you will be modelling half naked. But with time, my parents started supporting me and now I have their full support.
What are your achievements?
I have won the Miss Summer Beitbridge 2016, 1st Princess Miss Chegutu 2018 and Miss Pan African Queen Heritage 2019. I recently came back from Nigeria where I was representing Zimbabwe in the Miss Pan African Queen International and I ended in the top 10.
I am hoping one day to open my own beauty pageant which will be training ladies on modelling and how to behave in the industry so that they do not fall in the hands of some men who want to use girls for money.
As you mentioned, models are sometimes labelled as prostitutes. How do you take it?
As for me, I think I am blessed because I have individuals who encourage me not to quit modelling and not mind what people say or think. I always tell people that it is all about discipline for this industry because if you do not have discipline, you may end up selling your body.
So is there anything you are doing as Miss Pan African Queen Heritage to help other ladies in the society?
Well, I did beauty therapy, so I have been teaching a number of women on how to do manicures, pedicures and facials. Soon, I will be mobilizing communities to support victims of gender-based violence and provide platforms for women and girls called “Voices to be Heard.”
What is your advice to women who want to pursue modelling?
I want to tell ladies who want to pursue modelling that you can do and be anything you want in life. All you need to do is to focus and work hard to achieve it. Do not be limited by circumstances. They say the sky is the limit, but I want to say you can go beyond the sky.
