ON THE COVER : Jean Claude Ndayishimiye

Jean Claude Ndayishimiye is a professional model and the founder of Premier Model Agency, a newly launched model agency located in Kigali city. Ever wondered why Ndayishimiye decided to venture into modelling, despite speculations spreading around that the field is mostly identified with gays? Well, to Ndayishimiye what people say or portray others is always not true.Ndayishimiye is a hardworking and innovative person. He also comes across as “hyper” and has no qualms sharing details about his talent, which currently involves modelling and inspiring others to love the career while teaching them how to become professional models. Growing up, though, he had a different outlook especially when it came to dreams as he only believed in his academics and thought that it was going to change the world. But things started to change when he joined Dady de Maximo’s modelling agency “Dadmax Agency”. Ndayishimiye says he grew up watching models on TV and in fashion magazines. He also knew that models have a great influence in the fashion industry—but little did he know that he would once venture into the field and embrace it as his profession. Today, Ndayishimiye believes that his agency will significantly advance Rwanda’s fashion industry, while he admits that modelling in Rwanda is given lesser value.“It’s a pity that some people think that all male models are homosexuals,” Ndayishimiye said. “In my agency I have male models but they’re not homosexuals. They are Rwandans who love modelling and want to take it to another level.” “People should stop discouraging others from being what they want to be because of their wrong perception towards things,” he advises. Premier Model Agency was launched on March 28, 2010 in Kigali city. Ends