SLiNDT – Not just pretty faces

For the girls of SLiNDT modelling is more than just being beautiful. It means much more than looking great and posing for photos or walking the ramp for these ladies. Their recent initiative is all proof of that – one in which they strive to make a difference in the lives of others.

tjil! just had to speak to these girls when the exciting news of their new adventure reached my ear. Sihandra Husselmann, Lynn Strydom, Nikki IIthete, Daphne Kamatuka and Tanya Weimer started their label, SLiNDT, about two months ago.

SLiNDT is a posse of fi ve Namibian models, or rather, female friends, who initially met after being presented with mutual modelling opportunities in the country, and who socialise in the same circles. SLiNDT is also a combination of the fi rst letters of their names.

“Coincidentally we were all casted for the same launch of an esteemed fashion line a few months ago. We spent a great deal of time together while rehearsing and doing fi ttings prior to the show.”

The girls say they connected on various social networking sites and also started communicating via Skype on a daily basis.

“Amidst all the fun and banter, we became more familiar with the personal goals, ambitions and interests of each other and the realisation soon dawned that we shared several common interests.”

Through SLiNDT these ladies will contribute a portion of what they make through modelling to charity. Beauty with a purpose - that is just cool!

They also wish to create more awareness on charitable benefi ts of which many people are not aware, and also to help out where they can as a group on a charitybased level.

Another concern for SLiNDT is teenage pregnancy which they feel is disappointingly high. They wish to reach out to especially young girls, and try and make a di¬fference to their mindsets.

They also want to educate the public on the modelling industry – to teach them that modelling is more than just a pretty face and a slim body, and to change the perception that models only possess fi ne looks but have no brains.

“This is not an agent,” the girls emphasised. They want to make it clear that SLiNDT is not an organisation signing up models, but is simply a part of the modelling industry trying to change perceptions, boost confidence of girls and educate the nation.

They say that their long term goal is to create a platform for Namibian fashion and Namibian models to showcase their talent and vigour to the world, ultimately putting Namibia on the map as a third-world country with fi rst-world characteristics and world-class talent, potential and etiquette.

Check out their facebook page ‘SLiNDT’.