South Sudanese Models Showcase Talent Amid Strict Industry Guidelines

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Khloe Nyanda and Alek Mayen Garang are two young women from South Sudan who have pursued careers in modeling despite facing significant challenges.

Nyanda, 21, was born in Yirol, about 200-250 kilometers northwest of Juba. She spent her childhood in Nairobi, Kenya, before returning to Juba as a teenager. Nyanda began modeling at the age of 14 and was inspired by international models such as Adut Akech. However, her family initially viewed her academic pursuits and modeling aspirations as conflicting interests.

Nyanda’s family eventually became estranged after she rejected a man they had chosen for her to marry. She also experienced difficulties in securing paid modeling opportunities due to the lack of credible agencies in South Sudan. Nyanda has faced multiple visa rejections since 2023, including a failed attempt to attend Milan Fashion Week, which was rejected by the Italian embassy in Nairobi.

Alek Mayen Garang, 20, is another aspiring model from South Sudan. She was born in Greater Jonglei and raised in Renk before relocating to Kampala, Uganda with her family. The 2016 conflict pushed them back to South Sudan, adding to her formative years. Garang began modeling at the age of 14 and faces similar challenges as Nyanda, including a lack of credible agencies and visa issues.

Both women are determined to pursue their careers in modeling despite these obstacles. They have expressed frustration with the limited infrastructure in South Sudan, which they believe hinders their ability to travel and work internationally.

Source: Al Jazeera