Growing up as an albino in South Africa hasn’t been easy for Refilwe Modiselle, 27. The social ostracism, stigma and prejudice at times was too much to bear. “People thought my mother was involved with a white person. I remember agents not being too keen to sign me either.”
In light of the fact that the prevalence of albinism is higher in Africa than the global average, people accused her mother of being involved with a white man.
Born in Rockville, Soweto, Modiselle started modeling when she was 13. She’s been dubbed a “striking natural beauty” with “white blonde hair, pale skin and ice blue eyes.”
She’s the first albino model to grace the catwalk in South Africa and is signed to an international modeling agency, Ayana Africa Model Management. She’s also the ambassador for South African clothing brand, LEGiT.
She tells British magazine, Grazia, now comfortable in her own skin, “I finally feel beautiful.”
People with albinism have little or no pigment in their eyes, skin, or hair.
