mbulelo smpofu
Yolanda Mlilo, Sunday Life Reporter
AT the age of 21, Trish Kamuzonde, a pharmaceutical chemistry student at the University of Zimbabwe, is making waves in the cut-throat modelling industry.
She has established a personal brand that captivates attention, as a video vixen model.
A video vixen is a woman who models in music videos, often as the love interest or lead in the video. The term was most popular in the 1990s and 2000s and video vixens were a staple of the genre.
Video vixens were often attractive and sensual and could play a variety of roles, from the girl next door to the femme fatale. They were known for wearing street-wear, high fashion and tinted sunglasses.
Born and raised in Bulawayo, Kamuzonde has become a notable name in the industry through her appearances in music videos like Ndoona by Feli Nandi, Iwewe by Oriyano, Hello Mello by Oriyano and Ndakuda by Superglue.
She started modelling at the age of 18 in Bulawayo where she did both her O and A- levels at Founders High School.
From an early age, she was fascinated by the world of modelling. She would spend hours watching beauty pageants on TV, imagining herself on stage.
“It has always been my dream to become a model ever since I was young, I used to watch Miss Zimbabwe on ZBC and imagine myself on stage too,” she said in an interview with Sunday Life.
One of her most memorable experiences was competing in the Miss UZ pageant. Despite feeling nervous and uncertain, she pushed through her fears and gave it her all.
“My memorable experience is when I first competed at the Miss UZ pageant, I had no confidence whatsoever, but I did my best on stage,” she revealed.
Kamuzonde said for her, modelling came naturally as she does not need to rehearse, she simply steps in front of the camera and poses.
On balancing modelling and academics, she said she has learnt to make time for everything.
“I simply make time for everything, I have no particular order or timetable of some sort. Continuing with one’s goals till you accomplish them is my secret and one day you will testify to others,” said the model.
As she navigates the ups and downs of the modelling industry, she has learnt to stay focused on her goals.
She believes that negativity and criticism are inevitable parts of the journey to success.
“Many people will come with negativity, but don’t let it be your breaking point. Instead of letting negativity hold you back, push through and keep working towards set goals,” said Kamuzonde.
She further cautioned upcoming models not to allow fame and success to compromise their values and integrity.
“Never stoop so low to be used by people for the sake of fame and fame comes unannounced,” she said.
With her growing experience in the modelling industry, Kamuzonde has featured in several music videos.
“I have featured in quite several videos, the likes of Feli Nandi’s ‘Ndoona’, Oriyano’s ‘Iwewe’ and ‘Hello Mello’ and Superglue’s ‘Ndakuda’.
“I hope to feature in more videos in the near future. I always stay confident by gradually reminding myself that I never came this far to quit.
“Whenever I look at myself in the mirror, I remind myself of how fearfully and wonderfully I was made,” she said.
