Dineo Ashmey Shuping, a 26-year-old model who fiercely considers herself a “Masterpiece” from Madibogo in the North-West Province, was able to escape the stereotype of what an ideal career for a black child should be when she fell in love with what seemed to be an unconventional career, modelling.
“Reading books led me to new realms, the world of imagination, boundless possibilities and the world beyond my horizon. I believe that this practice played a major role in pursuing a career in modelling,” said Dineo. Dineo added that the small community where the only aspiration was to become a police officer, schoolteacher, medical doctor or lawyer and that an alternative career in the arts, such as modelling appeared improbable. “As I grew older, I realized my love and passion was modelling,” she said. Dineo first joined the world of modelling,” she said. Dineo first joined the world of pageantry during her final year at university when she competed in a Mr and Miss Residence pageant, finishing in the top 5. “That night something changed in me, I had never felt such delight in my life. It felt natural as if I was born to do it. A spark was lit, a burning desire for the runway,” she explained.
That propelled her to compete in Miss Universe North-West 2020 and be crowned Miss Personality. Determined, she set out to enter Miss International South Africa, one of the world’s top three biggest pageants and made it to the top 30.
Thereafter she was inspired to submit a Miss South Africa Video Entry in 2022. Recently that flare helped her become a runner-up for the face of the Potchefstroom Fashion Week. This is the third season of Potchefstroom Fashion Week and according to Ntebo Mohloiwa, a Model and Model Management Officer at Mashley Model Management; their campaign is Fashion against GBV. “We have worked with a variety of public and private stakeholders to increase awareness and capacity to prevent, recognize, and respond to gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF). Through this effort, the campaign also promotes and empowers talented young people in the North-West province to actively participate in creating their careers, as well as having access to information about government services, opportunities, meaningful skills and experience.
We are thrilled to offer Potch Fashion Week season 3 to our neighbourhood as well as to continue making an impact and strengthening the North-West community,” she stated. Dineo says her career path has been full of thorns and enormous stumbling blocks, but she considers herself fortunate to have the support structure she has, her family and community. Most importantly, her mentor Dr. Norman Sempijja, who has shared life-changing lessons about failure and challenges. “I refuse to give up, from these teachings and I can pick myself up, dust myself off and throw myself back into the arena with twice the zeal regardless of the outcome,” she continued. Dineo derives her drive to continue on this route from the small-town girl she was, for whom the concept of aspirations was unfamiliar and who believed that some vocations are only made for a select few.
