Standing at 1.8meters, this dreamy hottie commands your attention when he walks in to a room. Not only is he a captivating sight, his breath-taking smile and eyes make you start California dreaming. He makes the ladies swoon, the gents green with envy and mothers wish he could court their daughters and yes, the fathers to purchase shotguns to protect their daughters. He is Calvin Madula.
His good manners and charm make you want to know him better. His titles ‘model and actor’ make you imagine him in a James Bond movie shirtless, but who is Calvin Madula?
As I was looking at him from head to toe and wondering which question to ask him first, his down to earth nature captured my attention. And then my first question came, ‘Are you ready to unmask Calvin?’ I asked.
Born in Binga and raised in rural Chiwundura, in lower Gweru, Calvin who has 3 siblings took me back to how life was growing up and how his mother, his role model, taught him about life and values despite the hardships they faced as a family.
“People find it hard to believe that I grew up in the rural areas and went to rural schools and also wore tattered clothes. It shocks them even more when I tell them I’m Tonga”, he says.
“Truth be told, I’m proud to be Tonga and that’s who I am. There’s a lot of stereotyping that comes with being Tonga and harsh labeling that one has to live with but Tongas are human too, “he continues.
“You may see a typical suburban looking guy when you look at me, but no, that’s not me. These hands know how to work the fields and do all sorts of manual labour and these feet have known hard cracked and chapped skin,” he laughs.
The 23-year-old heartthrob never dreamt of being a model but dreamt of being an actor instead. His background made him wonder if it were possible but his environment did not limit his thinking or kill his dream.
“Growing up in a rural set up were big dreams are just dreams is hard because no one believes in them is discouraging. I always had a burning desire to break free from a life of limited thinking and ignorance. I knew I didn’t belong there in as much as I came from there. I wanted to make a name for myself and also help others to dream big and achieve their dreams despite were they come from,” he says.
“Rural life shaped and disciplined me, even when I face challenges, I overcome them because it was more like training for the next life,” he adds
“It was by God’s grace that a total stranger who happened to have mistakenly thought I was a model, offered to be my manager when I moved to Bulawayo in 2015. I turned down her offer because I didn’t understand what modelling was about but it was after I met Shadel Noble who inspired and taught me a lot about modelling and believing in myself that I began to make my strides in the modelling scene.”
I graduated with Fingers modelling Agency and I never looked back “he added.
Having graduated from Fingers Modelling Agency, Calvin has worked with local designers like Brand Room Designers and House of Tyrone to mention a few and photographers like Josh, Nathan, Black Ivory and many others.
This aspiring actor who has a project coming up soon, encourages his peers that dreams can be made a reality if you work towards achieving them.
“Were do you see yourself in the next 2-5 years?” I ask,
“I will be the next big thing,” he smiles.
(Image credits: GOREALR Photography and Mgcini Nyoni Photography)
