Dominique Kazadi (23) is on a mission to reach his dream of becoming a global male model and will not allow circumstances to deter him.
But his rise to the top is marred with pain, heartache, and disappointments.
The former Maitland resident’s life took a turn for the worse in 2020 when both his parents died, leaving him and his younger brother destitute, which led to them losing their home.
Kazadi, who was in matric at the time, explained that they have no relatives in South Africa as his parents were originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
“I almost gave up and didn’t complete my matric because it was so tough. But the strong faith that I have in God and attending church on a Sunday helped me. I have a younger brother and he didn’t finish school because of the trauma.
“We lost our house and literally everything. I ended up moving to Brooklyn. I was being judged for the career path I was choosing. But I kept my head up high, kept praying and pushing. God opened beautiful opportunities for me.”
He explains that his first modelling experience was in 2018 when he attended the SA Men’s Fashion Week with a friend.
“I ended up backstage. And I remember one of the creative directors said ‘you need to go dress up for the fashion week’. In the back of my mind, I thought to myself she was joking. But she told me to get dressed.
“I ended up modelling designer clothes by Tokyo James. I had no experience or knowledge of modelling, but I always used to watch my role models like Adut Akech and Naomi Campbell.”
Kazadi said after getting a glimpse of what walking the runway felt like, he knew that was where he wanted to be.
But life kept on serving him lemons. He moved from Brooklyn and squatted in Parow Park for a while where he was exposed to the cruelness of life on the street.
He explains that in June this year, a friend recommended him to Culemborg Safe Space 1 where he found shelter and is currently still living.
“Thanks to the shelter, they blessed me with the opportunity to join the Public Employment Programme (PEP). I also worked in Sea Point as an ambassador and that’s where I met Kevin Alexander. He found out that I was doing modelling and involved his team.”
Kevin Alexander, a fieldwork coordinator for Project HOPE, an initiative that assists people living on the streets in Sea Point, Fresnaye and Bantry Bay, said he met Kazadi at the shelter and was impressed by his “positive outlook on life” despite his circumstances.
“I soon identified him as a suitable candidate for our development programme for homeless persons. He is young and ambitious, well spoken, has a positive attitude and importantly, has no challenges with addiction or substance use.”
Kazadi says he has had the opportunity to work with top designers and photographers like Masa Mara and Anton Watts.
He says when he walks the runway, he “comes alive”.
“It’s a feeling that I cannot express. Being on that runway, I know what I’m doing. I’m confident. I want models to understand that it’s not just about having a pretty face and body. It’s about what you have inside. Before you fix anyone else, you need to fix yourself.
“Being on the runway is an emotional feeling, but at the same time, it’s the best feeling because I get to be myself. I get to express how I feel and everything I’ve been through. It’s a blessing for me.”
Kazadi explains that building a name for yourself is difficult because it often does not earn you a salary.
“A lot of the shoots I did, I did for free. I kept my head up. I did it to build my portfolio. Having a strong portfolio will allow you to go to the biggest agencies because they can’t reject you, you have the experience, proof and understanding of the fashion industry.
“I told myself I would start from the bottom and struggle while I work my way up. That has really opened up doors for me.”
Kazadi hopes to inspire others to follow their dreams despite their circumstances.
“I want to inspire the youth that they should find things that are impactful. They should be authentic and not allow anyone to define who they are. Everyone has a purpose and a dream. You should never allow your circumstances to determine your future.
“I try to inspire other aspiring models and tell them some models start off successful and some models struggle when they start. I needed to struggle. That struggle made me the supermodel that I am right now.”
Kazadi said he has his sights set on the international stage and hopes to get signed by an agency.
“I see myself in Paris and New York, signed to an elite modelling agency. I know through my struggles I will obtain my dreams. I see myself representing South Africa, showing the world that we have potential.”
