Ayanda Candice Sibanda
{{Short description|Zimbabwean model and activist}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Ayanda Candice
| image = Ayanda Candice Sibanda.jpg
| birth_date = c 2000
| birth_place = Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
| alma_mater = University of Zimbabwe
| known_for = Model with albinism
| awards = Outstanding Female Model, Bulawayo Models Awards (2020)
People’s Choice Young Achievers (2021)
Outstanding Female Model at the Bulawayo Arts Awards (2022)
Young Influencer of the Year at the Ignite Youth Awards (2022)
}}
Ayanda Candice Sibanda (born c 2000) is a Zimbabwean beauty pageant titleholder, model and activist for those with albinism.
Biography
Sibanda began modelling in when she was in primary school in Bulawayo.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2020-06-16 |title=Miss Albinism Zim speaks on acceptance |url=https://www.chronicle.co.zw/miss-albinism-zim-speaks-on-acceptance/?pr=179674&lang=fr |access-date=2025-02-19 |website=The Chronicle |language=en}} Born with albinism, she found that modelling gave her confidence as well as a platform to advocate for others.{{Cite web |title=Newly-crowned Miss UZ aims high |url=https://www.herald.co.zw/newly-crowned-miss-uz-aims-high/ |access-date=2025-02-19 |website=The Herald |language=en}}
As a child, she faced discrimination from other children as well as from adults.{{Cite web |last=TV |first=Nakiso |title=Ayanda Candice Sibanda Speaks On Albinism! |url=https://www.nakiso.tv/2020/11/ayanda-candice-sibanda-speaks-on.html |access-date=2025-02-19 |website=Nakiso TV: Celebrating Zimbabwean Success Stories}} Her experiences and the support of her parents encouraged her to take up modelling and activism. Sibanda describes her motivation as, "In life, never be defined by someone else’s belief of what is possible”.{{Cite news |date=2020-12-17 |title='We rise by lifting others': outstanding women of Zimbabwe - in pictures |url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/gallery/2020/dec/17/we-rise-by-lifting-others-outstanding-women-of-zimbabwe-in-pictures |access-date=2025-02-19 |work=the Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}
Sibanda has used beauty pageants to raise awareness to the difficulties faced by people with albinism in African society.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2023-04-01 |title=Breaking beauty barriers |url=https://www.chronicle.co.zw/breaking-beauty-barriers/ |access-date=2025-02-19 |website=The Chronicle |language=en}}Moyo, Grant. "[https://allafrica.com/stories/202003300447.html Humanitarian Model Champions Albinism]" The Standard. March 29, 2020. In 2019 she was named second runner up to Miss Teen Zimbabwe, as well as crowned Miss Albinism Zimbabwe.{{Cite web |last=Mavhimira |first=Bridget Wadzanai |title=It's an honour to represent Zimbabwe: Ayanda |url=https://www.newsday.co.zw/thestandard/standard-style/article/200005494/its-an-honour-to-represent-zimbabwe-ayanda |access-date=2025-02-19 |website=The Standard |language=en}} In 2020 she received the crown of Miss University of Zimbabwe and in 2022 she was crowned Miss Africa Zimbabwe.{{Cite web |last=Zebra |first=Sharon |date=September 1, 2023 |title=Sibanda eyes Miss Universe Zimbabwe crown |url=https://www.newsday.co.zw/life-amp-style/article/200016015/sibanda-eyes-miss-universe-zimbabwe-crown |access-date=2025-02-19 |website=NewsDay |language=en}} As of 2020, there are an estimated 70,000 people in Zimbabwe with albinism.{{Cite web |date=2020-06-13 |title=In Zimbabwe, people with albinism struggle against prejudice |url=https://apnews.com/article/7eae9a42465074ff4b3eb20399991251 |access-date=2025-02-19 |website=AP News |language=en}}
While at university, Sibanda started the Ayanda Candice Foundation to advocate for women's empowerment and for the rights of those with disabilities. The Foundation trains young women in leadership skills and with mentoring support. Through the Foundation, Sibanda speaks on topics related to albinism in Zimbabwean society.{{Cite web |title=Remembering the Forgotten Ones: Exploring the Impact of Climate Change on Persons with Albinism in Zimbabwe |url=https://oneill.law.georgetown.edu/events/remembering-the-forgotten-ones-exploring-the-impact-of-climate-change-on-persons-with-albinism-in-zimbabwe/ |access-date=2025-02-19 |website=O'Neill |language=en-US}} In 2021, she was a member of the European Union's Youth Sounding Board in Zimbabwe, sharing her experience with policymakers.{{Cite web |title="More participatory, relevant and effective": EU launches Team Europe Youth Sounding Board in Zimbabwe {{!}} EEAS |url=https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/zimbabwe/%E2%80%9Cmore-participatory-relevant-and-effective%E2%80%9D-eu-launches-team-europe-youth-sounding-board-zimbabwe_en |access-date=2025-02-19 |website=www.eeas.europa.eu |language=en}}
In 2024 Sibanda graduated from the University of Zimbabwe with a degree in law.{{Cite web |title=From runway to courtroom… Ayanda Candice keeps on breaking barriers – DailyNews |url=https://dailynews.co.zw/from-runway-to-courtroom-ayanda-candice-keeps-on-breaking-barriers/ |access-date=2025-02-19 |website=dailynews.co.zw}}
See also
- John Makumbe, Zimbabwean activist for those with albinism
- Persecution of people with albinism
References
{{Reference list}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|id=15934451}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sibanda, Ayanda Candice}}
Category:21st-century Zimbabwean women
Category:Zimbabwean beauty pageant winners