Local model to feature in Middle East fashion magazine

By Pétria de Vaal

A young model from Louis Trichardt, the 23-year-old Rumaanah Jamadar, will soon see her picture appear in Harper’s Bazaar Arabia – the Middle East’s luxury fashion magazine that is read worldwide.

“I currently work as a model in Johannesburg, but I recently won the first place for a photo that was taken while I was visiting home. I would like to thank Elize van der Goot for her horse and the Louis Trichardt-based photographer, Elné Cameron, for this opportunity,” said Rumaanah. She added that she felt Elné’s stunning photographic abilities had secured her first place.

Rumaanah matriculated at Louis Trichardt High School in 2017. Thereafter, she studied education with Unisa. In 2019, she started as a face model in Johannesburg for one of the big make-up companies. “I teach kids online in the mornings and in the afternoons I do my modelling work,” said Rumaanah.

Rumaanah became interested in modelling by watching TV series. She thought: “I could become one of these beautiful girls. I can even be better.” Her manager required a portfolio from her. One of the shoots that she had to do was in an Arabian style. This is where the photoshoot with the horse came in.

Elné writes on her Facebook page: “What an experience to have had the opportunity to do a photo session with a horse for the first time. It was such an amazing and fun photoshoot. Thank you, Elize van der Goot, for all your kindness and assistance with Khado the horse, we really did appreciate your time.“

Rumaanah continues: “I am so grateful for winning this first place and will have to represent myself later this year by going to Dubai, once the photograph is published. The editorial team of Harper’s Bazaar Arabia still needs to decide whether my photograph will be part of an article or if it will be used on the cover,” she says.

Rumaanah is the second of three children and she says that, without the motivation of her parents, Istiyak and Gory Aboo Jamadar, she would not have reached these heights. “I never thought I would be a model. In the modelling world, they refer to me as the “plaas” (farm) girl!