Wheelchair modelling contest to be staged in Byo

THANDOLWENKOSI NDLOVU (27) of Bulawayo, who has been living with arthrogryposis since birth, is seeking assistance to organise the first wheelchair modelling contest in the City of Kings.

THANDOLWENKOSI NDLOVU (27) of Bulawayo, who has been living with arthrogryposis since birth, is seeking assistance to organise the first wheelchair modelling contest in the City of Kings.

NONHLANHLA SIBANDA OWN CORRESPONDENT

Arthrogryposis is a condition where a child is born with joint contractures. This means some of their joints don’t move normally and may even be stuck in one position. Often muscles around joints are thin, weak, stiff or missing. Extra tissue may have formed around the joints, stiffening them.

Ndlovu told Woza Weekend that she had been in touch with various institutions and corporates that had promised to support her initiative.

“I noticed that the disabled are not included in most pageants and I thought I should give them an opportunity to be recognised in the entertainment industry,” Ndlovu said.

“I have been in touch with the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Foundation (JMNF), who gave me great support by writing a recommendation letter.

Velli World Events have pledged to offer a sound system for both auditions and the grand finale. I have sent letters to businesspeople and individuals to support the initiative.

“I appeal to all, including boutiques, make-up artistes and entertainers to assist in cash or kind as this will go a long way in putting a smile on the aspiring disabled models. I am hoping that someday this will become a national event similar to the Miss Zimbabwe pageant,” she said.

Ndlovu, who is working with her sister Ntombezinhle on the logistics of the pageant, said the auditions would be held in May and the grand finale in August at the Bulawayo Amphitheatre on a date to be advised.

JMNF chief executive officer Jabulani Hadebe, who is also an entertainment promoter, told Woza Weekend that they had assisted Ndlovu with a recommendation letter and pledged to sponsor the event in his own capacity under his Velli World Events Company.

“The foundation only offered a recommendation letter for the pageant and I have committed to offer the pageant a free sound system for the auditions and the final event. I will market the event for free, which will entail designing and distributing posters and flyers,” Hadebe said.

“So many events do not include the disabled, but I thought it will be good to assist this worthwhile initiative and give the aspiring models an opportunity to shine. Disability does not mean inability,” he added.