Terence Mukasa
Model and fashion student, Ronaldo Aibeb, who recently completed his first year of fashion design studies at the College of the Arts, appeared on Ethiopian and Djibouti modelling runways mid-November this year.
Aibeb (24) was invited to model for the international exhibition of African textiles (SITA) in Djibouti and represented Namibia alongside other top models in Africa.
The objective of SITA is to provide the platform for Africa’s fashion industry players to showcase their talents, network, celebrate one another and expose them to uncharted markets, and enable trade and translating vision in accomplishments for economic growth.
He was discovered in 2018 by Tuhafeni Modelling Academy while he on his way to take part in a music video shoot for Punde, a song by Himba Boi.
Aibeb, who is known as Rey by his friends, told VIBEZ! the academy, owned by Tuhafeni Elia in Swakopmund, has shaped and trained him well to be a good model.
“After two years with the academy, I left to pursue my modelling career as an independent model because I knew, at some point, I needed to get out and spread my wings,” he noted.
Aibeb has been modelling now for four years, and said he grew up to realise he is not only living his own dream but fulfilling his late sister’s dream; modelling was her wish for him. She passed away in 2003.
“My late sister is my biggest inspiration. She’s the reason I still believe in dreams, with the help of my parents.”
The most exciting brand he has worked for thus far is his own brand – Reiji_verse, as well as Hold Up brand, while the most exciting places he has modelled in are Djibouti and Ethiopia.
Asked if he has met any famous models, Aibeb said he recently met Addis Miller, an international model, at an airport.
Miller is an Ethiopian-British model, who is represented by FOMO Models.
His role models and favourite models are Alton Mason, Sean O’Pray, Manu Ríos and Luka Sabbat.
Aibeb described the modelling industry as lucrative, but said compared to other countries, models are not paid enough in Namibia.
“We get paid a fair price, depending on what you are doing as a model; it might also depend on what type of model (runway or photoshoot) you are, and your experience.”
Aibeb has a goal to teach men how to unite in creating a frontline for young men who want to pursue a modelling career because, growing up, “men were taught that modelling and pageants are only for women”.
“I want to inspire our young men and women that modelling should not just be a hobby; it can be a career. Don’t let your background define your future,” he urged.
“All you have to do is find your niche. Which type of model you want to be. Getting gigs are not easy; sometimes, it takes months or years to get gigs.”
Back in the day, there was a notion that one can only become a model if you are tall, slim and that guys should have a six pack.
“But, that was in the older days; now, you can be a model with any body size, shape, age, gender and race.”
Apart from modelling, Aibeb likes drawing/sketching, designing, writing stories, working with computers, and singing.
– terencelota@gmail.com