As Africa’s first model with albinism, Refilwe Modiselle helped change how people view difference. A decade later, she’s not done telling her story.
As Refilwe Modiselle steps on set for our photo shoot, her light beams brightly, setting the tone for the day ahead. With her warm energy and her bold voice and demeanour, she proves that walking in grace and strength is what sets her apart.
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Early light & unseen shadows
Born in Soweto in the mid-80s, Refilwe was raised as one of three daughters in a world that didn’t know what to do with someone who didn’t ‘look like them’. But her parents raised her so well and with so much love, she was set up for success. Sadly, her father passed away during her formative years, when she was 11 years old, but she still had her hardworking mom who pushed through every struggle to make a good home for her children.
@realrefilwemodiselleReceived an Honorary Award recently for my Outstanding Contribution to Fashion as a pioneer, in my journey as Africa’s First Successful Model with albinism turned many other things ♥️🙏🏻🙌🏻 📷: @presleympofu♬ original sound – Refilwe Vanillablaq Modiselle
As she moved through school, her academic promise was clear and visible, but so were the taunts and bullying that often accompany someone whom society sees as ‘different’.
“I was raised with love and a lot of protection. This was a contributing factor to my own self-love and self-confidence… My parents didn’t treat me any differently to my siblings, and my sisters didn’t treat me any differently because of my condition,” she explains. “My difference was highlighted more by society than at home. My living with albinism was never a conversation internally, and I think, to a degree, that helped me develop a foundation of not feeling `othered’. What was important was the love of my family, not what society had to say – though I wasn’t immune to feeling the pain of experiencing prejudice.”
Refilwe’s experience toughened her up, and turned her into someone who is resilient and tenacious. It’s why she’s always stood firm in everything she’s wanted to achieve in life.
Through relentless self-belief and the love and support of family and friends, Refilwe grew up to be confident, outspoken and optimistic, with an indomitable spirit that opened doors for her in the competitive world of modelling. She started out at age 13, in 1999. After school she studied advertising (gaining her diploma with five distinctions) while modelling, and became South Africa’s first successful model with albinism — and verified as the first in Africa by CNN.
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Breaking through
From local acting projects to the global stages of fashion, film and literature, Refilwe has spent much of her life rewriting what it means to be seen. Not just because she was born with albinism, but because she refuses to let difference be merely a backdrop. Difference is her stage. Difference is her message — and one to be wholeheartedly embraced.
To read more about Refilwe Modiselle’s inspiring path and the impact she continues to make, subscribe to Club Magazine for the full article.
Words by Charndré Emma Kippie
Photography by Zhann Solomons
Styling by Gasant Kellerman
