Chelsi's modeling trail
From the dusty streets of Walvis Bay, Chelsi Tashaleen Shikongo is turning heads on the ramp in South Africa.
I grew up in Walvis Bay for the best part of my life, but I am now currently based in Cape Town, South Africa. Modeling has been my childhood passion but, I officially started my modeling career in 2010 with a modeling school called LCS's Models based in Walvis Bay. I worked with them until 2011 and thereafter started freelancing.
Unfortunately, I stopped for a while due to pressure from school work. I finished my matric in 2014. Thereafter, I took a gap year and in 2015, I was at it again but this time working with local designers such as Melissa Poulton and McBright Kavari and doing shoots with Paolography of Pablo Scheinder. In 2016, I entered a Truworths competition and they were looking for a brand ambassador. I could not attend the competition because by that time, I did not even have a passport. This did not discourage me because they were really interested in me. Boss Models Cape Town signed me in October last year.
Cape Town has been a learning and curve and so far, I have worked with Spree and Truworths. People do not understand how hard it is to get into this career because you have to be physically and mentally ready for change and building your reputation. There are a lot of obstacles and I have experienced a lot them. But, because of all those obstacles, they have made me who I am today and there is still a lot to learn. With this career, it is always about connecting and advertising.
If you truly invest your time and effort, you will marvel the progress and be proud of your achievements. It is very important to choose the type of modeling you are good at once you identify it, work to perfect it. There is always a range of opportunities because modeling has been around for a long time and every day, agencies scout for girls. However, one should be careful to avoid becoming a victim of human trafficking. Do your research and involve family and friends.
I also do advocacy for teenage pregnancy and I have my own campaign called “I Can Say No”. We aim to promote abstinence and minimise the rate of teenage pregnancies and unwanted pregnancies in Namibia through sex education programs. We are still in the early stages of our campaign but, whenever or wherever I go, I always try and advocate for what I am really passionate about and that is being a peer educator of this deepening crisis in our county.
* Chelsi Tashaleen Shikongo is based in Cape Town, South Africa. She is an outgoing person who is always eager to learn and grab opportunities that come her way.
Unfortunately, I stopped for a while due to pressure from school work. I finished my matric in 2014. Thereafter, I took a gap year and in 2015, I was at it again but this time working with local designers such as Melissa Poulton and McBright Kavari and doing shoots with Paolography of Pablo Scheinder. In 2016, I entered a Truworths competition and they were looking for a brand ambassador. I could not attend the competition because by that time, I did not even have a passport. This did not discourage me because they were really interested in me. Boss Models Cape Town signed me in October last year.
Cape Town has been a learning and curve and so far, I have worked with Spree and Truworths. People do not understand how hard it is to get into this career because you have to be physically and mentally ready for change and building your reputation. There are a lot of obstacles and I have experienced a lot them. But, because of all those obstacles, they have made me who I am today and there is still a lot to learn. With this career, it is always about connecting and advertising.
If you truly invest your time and effort, you will marvel the progress and be proud of your achievements. It is very important to choose the type of modeling you are good at once you identify it, work to perfect it. There is always a range of opportunities because modeling has been around for a long time and every day, agencies scout for girls. However, one should be careful to avoid becoming a victim of human trafficking. Do your research and involve family and friends.
I also do advocacy for teenage pregnancy and I have my own campaign called “I Can Say No”. We aim to promote abstinence and minimise the rate of teenage pregnancies and unwanted pregnancies in Namibia through sex education programs. We are still in the early stages of our campaign but, whenever or wherever I go, I always try and advocate for what I am really passionate about and that is being a peer educator of this deepening crisis in our county.
* Chelsi Tashaleen Shikongo is based in Cape Town, South Africa. She is an outgoing person who is always eager to learn and grab opportunities that come her way.
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