Siphelire Chitambo, going places with modeling

Who is exactly are you?

I was born on September 29 1989 to Natasha Kanjanga and Jonathan Chitambo at Likuni Hospital. I am single and the last born in a family of three children. My home is Champiti Village in Traditional Authority (T/A) Champiti, Ntcheu. I am currently staying in Lilongwe and I am a musician.

What type of upbringing did you have?

Life has been tough for me since I was a toddler. I was raised by my late grandmother in Lusaka, Zambia while my parents lived in Malawi. I started school at seven because my granny could not afford to send me to school earlier. It was a difficult time as food was also scarce. I remember to have pretended to played at out neighbours’ sometimes just to make sure I partook in their meals. In 1999, I went to live with my aunt who could at least afford basic necessities for me. Although I was teased in class because of poverty, I persevered until I wrote my Junior Certificate (JC) Examinations in 2005. The following year, I moved to Malawi and my interest in modelling started sprouting into a serious career. My musical career also boomed and I joined a music outfit as a backing vocalist. I have three songs which I have done in corroboration with Zambia’s Big Brother representative, Cleo.

Tell me about your education background.

Well, I did my primary school education at Hillside in Chipata, Zambia, before enrolling with Mem Secondary School in the same town. In 2006, I came to Malawi and enrolled with Bambino Private Secondary School in Lilongwe and wrote my Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) examinations in 2007. In 2010, I enrolled with Skyway University where I did Hotel and Catering Management up to certificate level. Due to scarcity of resources, I did not manage to continue with my education until I saw myself in Big Brother House.

After the show, I sat down with my manager, Mable Banda Khonje and I conceptualised to start taking modelling to greater heights. I have since registered an agency called Black Rose Modelling Agency which will be launched in August.

What is the aim of the agency?

We will be scouting for girls as models to earn a little something. We intend to approach a number of companies for business. I thought of modelling because I get concerned when I see beautiful women loafing or opting for immoral behaviour than doing something profitable.

How will you reach prospective models?

We will use various media and social outlets for applications and interviews. We plan to incorporate models from across the country. We already have 15 on our payroll. The number will swell depending on the need at a particular time. Apart from qualifications, there will be an age bracket that we will use as criteria to recruit the women.

What will happen after recruitment?

The models will become brand ambassadors for various products. In so doing, we shall create jobs for these models and reduce the rate of unemployment in the country. I feel, this is one way of uplifting our girls economically. After sometime, we will start engaging boys too.

Who is funding your agency?

Nobody at the moment. Once we seal deals with companies that should be our main source of income. So far, we have approached a number of companies which have showed interest.

Modelling in Malawi is viewed negatively. How will you change mindsets?

It is true that a lot of people think that a model is somebody who ekes a living through prostitution. They brand her with all sorts of names. This is now my job to change people’s mindsets that modelling is about passion. One can be a model and work for companies, get paid and do better in life. Using the media, I will change their mindset and attitudes against girls and models. With more effort, I will change mindsets of prospective models too. We intend to go out there and make huge impressions through the strategic plan that we are drafting. We are also drafting proposals to sell to different organisations. Others have already started utilising us and I see more coming forward.

What are your plans?

I want to make ensure that modelling is a welcomed career in this country. After a successful establishment, I want to take modelling to other countries such as Zambia. I will soon be heading to Lusaka to be one of the judges for Zed Factot International— a talent show for Zambians. My six month sojourn will help me explore ways of how I can take modelling to other countries. My eyes will be on the ground to know their culture, beliefs and values to consider before taking modelling across borders.

Any memorable moments in your life?

When my niece, Mia, was born on June 26 2012. I was joyful on that day. Now that Mia is grown into a girl, she is like my daughter. She follows me everywhere I go. The other moment is when I lost my grandmother in Zambia in 2013. I felt bad considering that I lost somebody that raised me up. She was like my mother to me.

What do you like doing in your free time?

I like reading books, watching movies and singing. I like spending time in the studio playing with microphones.

What is your favourite dish?

Nsima and Chambo.

Last comments.

I would like to advise girls to love modelling. It is something that they have to be proud of. I want to see girls being focused at attaining something in their lives. No matter how many times you fall, rise up and vigorously forge ahead. I would also urge people to stay away from stereotypes and wipe out their negative attitudes against modelling. Being a model does not mean you are promiscuous. Let us join hands and work as a team to uplift our country.