Ramouna Shipunda

Martin Kotze is living the soft-life dream of every aspiring model.  

Based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates for the past four years, Kotze started modelling at the age of 20 in Cape Town, South Africa and has since done numerous international modelling campaigns and counts his work for BALR as his biggest gig thus far.

BALR is an international luxury lifestyle brand known for its high-end fashion, travel products and accessories for men, women and children.  

The 27-year-old told VIBEZ! the BALR campaign was a big deal for him since the brand mostly features famous footballers and basketball players. He landed the job in 2020, right after shooting for Diesel Arabia, in Dubai which is one of the most luxurious cities in the world with ultra-modern skyscrapers, ports, and beaches, where big business takes place alongside sun-seeking tourism. 

Born to an Omuwambo mother and German/Afrikaans father in Oshakati and raised in Tsumeb, Kotze was inspired to get into modelling by his role model and older brother Josef Victor, who was also a model. 

“I’ve always known I was good looking so I had to put it out there and my brother Joe was my motivation to everything I do,” said the 1.90m tall Kotze, who also modelled for clothing company Edgars.

He ended up in Dubai after his mother agency – Base Models – connected him to Bare Face, his current modelling agency.

The green/hazelnut-eyed Kotze said his other modelling duties include hosting the opening up nightclubs and restaurants, while also doing advertising and marketing on the side.

Kotze is somewhat annoyed that some people still regard modelling as only for women, saying: “The world has evolved such as that work can be done by both men and women”.

He encouraged the boy child to follow his dreams and not believe the naysayers. 

“Never give up, follow your dreams; there’s a life to love and live beautifully.”  

The fit, healthy and energetic Kotze comes to Namibia once a year.

- ramounashipunda@gmail.com