“ Aim higher,believe you are destined for greatness and always put God first!.” -Mwaka Halwiindi.

A young force to be reckoned with at just 18 she reigns supreme in the modeling industry and that’s not all the talent she has.This Zambian sweetheart is both a pageant and commercial model, singer, actress and make up artist.

Tell us about your life background and brief history of the work you have done?

I completed high school in 2017 at Olympia park secondary school, and I want to study public relations in the near future.

I was 17 years old when I got properly introduced to the modeling industry, my motivation was my sister Busiku Halwiindi , she was a model, her work and how she stood out really inspired me, also how strangers and friends would tell me to consider it motivated me to become a model so I’m what they call multi talented , I can sing, write songs and poems, dance , act , I can plait hair(even on my self) and also do makeup , I want to explore on my creative side , artistic side , might audition for a movie role if the opportunity comes,

What is your personal motto?

I choose to stand out in everything I do , that’s why I call myself THE CHOSEN ONE I aim international, moving forward I just want to be the best there is , put Zambia and Africa on the map as they say , besides pageants , I am a commercial model hence working for the biggest brands is on my to do list!

How often do you practise?
I practice everyday!!! I walk at night in the house when my dads asleep and remain with my mom and young sister , they pretty much coach me!!

Have you ever been seriously injured while modelling?

Yes. This happened on stage at my recent competition, i slipped and as a result I had sharp knee pains, the whole time,It was the most painful experience

What steps do you take before going to model?

So a week before a competition or any appearance I prepare my self , I usually have zero expectations, win or lose , fall or not fall, I tell myself “iam in it to learn, grow and have fun. Which I feel is what should be your main reason for doing what ever is it you doing , so i prepare myself mentally , get the nerves out , think of the worst and find solutions ,perfect my turns and speech lol, and on the actual day I literally find myself so confident , nerves will kick in but I still bounce back perfectly

What type of services do you offer?

I do commercial ads , I am a brand influencer , I coach upcoming models too

What Zambian influencers/models have you worked with ?

I have Worked with Muka Kalaluka reigning miss Zambia , Edward the model , Beauty shamanga , Cynthia sakala miss face of beauty 2018,she’s also miss congeniality jewel of the world Zambia 2019 ,

One experience that was so productive and the taught me a lot till this day was when I worked with Musa Kalaluka , how swiftly she works with people , I don’t know if she knows this but she taught me how to pre-plan , I could see how passionate and serious she takes her work and that really motivated me , she’s a fighter!!

What challenges do you face ?

Time keeping

What is the biggest thing you’d change about Zambia?

I feel with the right role models and the correct training , and proper support ,Zambia can really be much more successful , I feel we are in the right path but just need an extra push .

The modelling industry is like an any other industry , it can even match up to a white collar job, it all starts with you the model, you become an influencer you become an icon , we literally live on the spot light and everything we do is judged so I feel it starts with us , our life decisions, what we voice out, how we involve people in our private lives, whatever views people have it be good or bad is because of our actions , modelling in Zambia is not considered as a good career , so many rumours and it affects we the upcoming! So there must be a line between personal and professional work and most models tend to mix the two! That’s one issue I feel we face and needs to be changed.

Who influenced you in Zambia?

Louisa Chingangu, Cecelia Kongwa and Gladys Kayumba

Given a million Kwacha what would you do for Zambia and what other things do you do apart from being a model?

I would open up my own modeling agency , and teach new models what I feel I had to be taught before fully stepping into the modelling industry. When I am not a model I act , host ,sing, sometimes a beautician.

What’s your favourite book?

Think and Grow Rich which was written by Napoleon Hill in 1937 and promoted as a personal development and self-improvement book.

Advise to your fellow youths?

Know what it is exactly you want out of every decision you make!! Aim higher, believe that you are destined for greatness, and always put God first .

What do you want to be remembered for?

I want to be remembered as a fighter , a person that never gave up!

Contact Mwaka via email at halwiindimwaka111@gmail.com

By Inonge Mwaba

Edited by Kasonde Dalitso

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