INTERNATIONAL MULTI-AWARD WINNING VOLLEYBALL PLAYER SPEAKS ABOUT HIS MODELING CAREER

INTERNATIONAL MULTI-AWARD WINNING VOLLEYBALL PLAYER SPEAKS ABOUT HIS MODELING CAREER

Started from the bottom now,he has lost count how many medals he has won since he embarked in his journey as a volleyball ball player.

Kudakwashe Kandanda is among the most successful volleyball players in the Southern African region who has toured across the Southern African Region.He is currently a newbie in the modelling industry and he hopes his modelling journey to be as successful as his volleyball journey.In a chit-chat with him he shares with us some of the steps he has taken in his modelling career and brands that his looking forward to work with.

Know more about Kudakwashe Kandanda.

TR:Describe yourself in 3 words ?

KK:Inspiring , ambitious and innovative.

TR:In a summary how did your journey in the modeling industry started?

KK:Christiano Ronaldo inspired me to take part, into modelling as he advertise his own brand. This made me notice that I can make a move towards modelling but I still lacked motivation and someone who would tell me more about it henceforth ,I quickly boosted my confidence making me the man I am today.

TR:You are a newbie in the modeling industry what are the main challenges you have faced so far and how did you manage to solve them?

KK:I have mostly faced financial problems to get more shoots, getting the necessary clothing and data to constantly stay stay online as it has become a necessity. This problem is not yet solved but I believe in sacrifice and hard work. I can make the best out of the little I have.

Convincing my parents about engaging into modelling was such a hard task since most African parents believe that for one to succeed he or she should base on academics alone.

Similary they reacted the same way, when I started to play volleyball until I managed to get a scholarship to ‘Churchill boys high’, then got an opportunity to play for ‘Harare City’,which is one of the best volleyball teams in ‘SADC’ and my parents started to realise my talent and that was not a waste of time or resources because I was awarded the Best blocker award, three times in three consecutive years in Zimbabwe and I am currently the Best Blocker in SADC. Hence I used this example to make me realize that I could make the best out modelling like I am doing in my Volleyball Career .

Having several fights with my girlfriend was quite challenge as well.

She did not like the idea of me getting shoots with other girls as she kept on saying that it was not proper.

With time and a whole lot of explaining she ended up understanding that modelling is now part of my career and now she’s is one of the people who are in ye front line in supporting me and I do appreciate the love I get from my family, my friends and her.

TR:Who /What inspires your work?

KK:As I mentioned before Christiano Ronaldo mostly inspires my work.

My friends Keith Machakaire, Takudzwa Chikurupati and Tafadzwa Mashiri greatly inspires me in several ways. They motivate and guide me whenever the need arise.

My mom is behind my inspiration because she always tells me she raised a king. My hope and motive is that someday ,is that the king she raised will take care of his Queen mother.’ I love you Rose Kandanda’.

Thumbs up again to my three siblings: Francis, Martin and Gloria for the unending support.

TR:Where do you see your future in the modelling industry in years to come?

KK:I see myself running my own online marketing business which will help the male models to boost their confidence and help them go stay fit in the modelling industry as I plan to have my own fitness class.

TR:Given a chance to work as a commercial modelling which brands would you like to be their ambassador and why?

KK:I would love to work with Nike.

Why? Because like they say, “Just Do it” nothing is impossible. It’s a Do or Die for me so will ‘Just Do It’. Their motto motivates me a lot.

.JanJam. Why? Because since my childhood I have always been a fashion lover and JanJam is the best fashion selling brand I have whitenessed as far as Zimbabwe is concerned.

•Victak$. Why? I have mostly admired it because I have seen its brand and its work on one my favourite artists , Jah Prayzah who I kind of look alike with. We have the same height and the same body structure. Seeing how Vicktak$ clothing suits him there is a high chance that these will suit me exactly the same.

In a way this will put me on a great advantage to easily advertise the brand and acquire it room for a great market.

•Edgars. Why? I have always admired my friend’s work as an ambassador for Edgars. Keith Machakaire is actually one of the people who have motivated me to start modelling.

I would always check his pages, admiring his Edgars several adverts of qaulity clothing.

It has always been my wish therefore to also work with Edgars, pushing forward the standing Edgars logo together with my friend.

TR:Besides being a model you are a volleyball player can you tell us more about your volleyball career?

KK:I really started from the bottom.

I started playing volleyball when I was in form one at Mosi oa tunya high school which is in Victoria Falls.

I was one of the worst players by then and my friend who has been into volleyball since his primary level Micheal Sikuka forced and motivated me to play volleyball though I was more into basketball and swimming.

In 2016 I managed to get myself a scholarship to Churchill boys high in Harare.

There we won National Schools completion and National youth games in 2016 and I was individually selected to be part of the National team.

In 2017 Churchill was declared the best team in high school volleyball history and finished the whole undefeated.

Later that year I got an opportunity to play for Harare City, one of the best volleyball team in the SADC.

That was my first year to play in the club league and in that same year I took the best blocker award in schools tournaments as well as in the clubs National league. My first Zone 6 games was in Bulawayo and we unfortunately lost in the group stage but I gained experience.

In 2018 the Zone 6 was hosted in Durban South Africa and we lost in the qauter final and in that same year I took the best award again in the Zimbabwe national league. In 2019 we won the Zim open tournament, HVA tournament, National league, National youth games, Harare premier league and the Zone 6 tournament in Malawi we lost to UZ in the Finals.

I was awarded the best blocker in Zimbabwe and in the SADC.

In 2020 January i took part in beach volleyball tournaments which were held in Mozambique for Olympics qualifier.

If I were asked to tell the number of medals I have acquired in my whole career I would say I have lost count because I have conquered more than I have lost as far as this is concerned.

TR:What is the combination about your two careers?

KK:Both the careers require hardwork, effort and sacrifice. They require me to be on best of my behavior all the time as I will be , most of the time dealing with different people in different environments with different circumstances. They both require me to be flexible.

TR:Final words to your readers?

KK:Do not wait for approval, not everyone will understand your vision.

Here am I chasing my dream. As for me I know your love, help and support can help me get to the point of fulfilling my dreams.