CHANGING ΤΗΕ NARRATIVE

Model Sanele Xaba has featured in mega campaigns for top global brands, walked international runways, and has become a well-known changemaker in the fight against the discrimination of those living with albinism. We sat down with him this Freedom Month to find out more...

- CHARNDRÉ EMMA KIPPIE

it's a beautiful sunny day in Gardens, Cape Town, as a tall, flawless fashionista comes walking towards me from around the corner of the studio. Wearing an edgy, all-black ensemble featuring iconic Dr Martins, Sanele Xaba (who I'd been dying to meet) greets me with so much joy and excitement for the day ahead. Confidently striding down the hallway to meet everyone in studio. There was something encouraging about his aura. He seemed so dauntless.

"Oh. We're doing skirts? I'm here for the fashion!", he beamed as we looked through the clothing rack. His ability to remain so open to that which is usually frowned upon for being 'unconventional', was a breath of fresh air. The team soon learnt that as a model, Sanele was down to experiment with just about anything when it came to fashion.

"I used to be shy because of all the negativity I experienced but now I embrace my individuality as a person living with albinism," the star expresses. "I want my success to motivate other people with this condition to dream big and not feel ashamed."

MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE

Sanele grew up in Durban where he was raised by a "pack of women", as he puts it. Initially wanting to become a provincial  swimmer, he was scouted during his schooling years to become a model. This was new and eyeopening for him as a young person since he was constantly bullied for his appearance. Nevertheless, he took the leap, becoming South Africa's first international male model with albinism.

"I am passionate about what I do because I've used my modelling platform to globally educate people about albinism and destigmatise the condition," he elaborates.

"Modelling took me out of my own bubble' because I've learnt a lot on how society and people with albinism view the condition. "The information is there, it's just not accessible to everyone.