By Kelvin Kasiwulaya
Gweru-based philanthropist and founder of River Valley Group of Companies, Ambassador Dr. Smelly Dube, has extended her support to young models in Gweru.
As a former modelling agency owner herself and recognizing the challenges associated with being a female model, Dr. Dube hosted a breakfast meeting for models from the Image Modelling Agency last Friday.
Speaking at the event,Dr. Dube reiterated her support for the industry and encouraged the girls to take their careers seriously.
“The girl child needs to be empowered to realise her dreams and not fall to any forms of exploitation due to vulnerability,” Dr. Dube said as she urged the young models to remain focused.
She added: “You have the potential to grow in the modelling industry and I pledge to continue supporting you. As girls, you are faced with a lot of challenges, but you should keep looking ahead and not fall for temptations along the way”.
Dr. Dube gave prizes to Miss Gweru 2023 Finalists, including Miss Gweru winner, Guguluthu Moyo, who was also granted a scholarship for her education.
The founder of Gweru-based Image Modelling Agency, Mavis Koslek lauded Dube’s efforts, and urged the young women to take advantage of the support from Dr. Dube and the River Valley Group in pursuit of their ambitions.
“It is through the support of companies and people such as Dr. Dube that modelling remains relevant and can grow. I want to encourage you to take advantage of this support to empower yourselves and achieve greater things in life,” Koslek said.
Dr. Dube’s efforts to empower young girls in the modelling industry is a reminder that every girl child has enormous potential to be great and to positively impact their environment. Her support for these girls helps in creating a brighter future for many young women who may have been vulnerable to abuse and exploitation.
Statistics show that modelling can be a powerful tool for women’s empowerment. According to a study published in the Journal of Social Sciences, female models who experienced higher levels of empowerment reported greater job satisfaction, improved self-esteem, and higher levels of self-efficacy.
Furthermore, a report from the UN Women organization reveals that women’s participation in the economy, including in industries such as modelling, can drive economic growth in developing countries.