Motsopa siblings - unfazed nuggets of ivory models
Dumisani Ncube | Friday July 24, 2015 18:00
These two have defied the odds by encouraging other albinos to venture into the modelling industry and other visual arts activities.
Two weeks ago, the nation woke up to amazing photos that were posted by the X models agency page on Facebook introducing a pair of albino models Junior and Rumbi Motsopa.
Growing up in South Africa, the two did not have any intentions of venturing into the modelling industry, but due to their good looks, their peers encouraged them to try it out as models.
It was model agent Leatile Motlhalamme who coincidentally discovered them on separate occasions, not knowing they are siblings and recruited them to join his agency, X models.
“I have personally been involved in a few gigs back in South Africa with the likes of Ricky Rick and Stilo Magolide, but I did not take it seriously even though I was often told it would suit me,” said 21-year-old Junior who sports a blond English cut hairstyle.
He said at this stage, he has not yet discovered his strength as a model but is willing to learn more as time goes on.
“The journey has been cool so far. I do not it see as a challenge but as an opportunity,” he said.
The medium-built male model with a body to die for has a sense of fashion that allows him to try out different fashion trends. He said he combines different influences to come up with a lifestyle infused with an old and new school style.
Rumbi, the youngest of the siblings who is 19-years-old, is a natural beauty with ice blue eyes and long black braids.
“Modelling is a recent thing, I took it as an opportunity to start new things,” she said.
As one of the first albino models in the country, she feels proud of her complexion, that her skin plays a role in boosting her confidence.
Like her older brother, she has a good sense of fashion. “I am influenced by myself, I do not normally look for inspiration from my peers. I put things together.”
As someone new in the industry, she said the journey has been agreeable so far, and has not yet faced any challenges despite of her condition. Her wish is to conquer the modelling industry and become a top model,
“I want to be on billboards and fashion shows,” said Rumbi who hinted that her agency is planning something massive.
“One way or the other, there was supposed to be albino models, we live in a progressive world and things change time and again,” she said explaining their presence in the modelling industry.
The duo, who profess to have been raised by loving parents in a community that accepted them for who they are, said they do not recall facing any hatred because they are albinos.
They attribute their good sense of fashion from their mother, though.
Model agent Motlhalamme who discovered the two said his agency is interested in trying out new things and coming up with new channels in the modelling industry.
The international modelling circuit has a few albino models, such as Stephen Thompson and South African Refilwe Modiselle who was the first albino model to appear on the runway in her country.