LIMPOPO – He is now an international model who travels the globe and is seen in adverts as the face of Nivea For Men.
According to Vuma, his modelling breakthrough came while he worked in a retail shop in Rosebank.
Former Generations actress, Xolile Chabalala asked him whether he was a model and if not that he should consider joining a modelling agency as he had the potential to become one of the world greatest models.
“I started doing modelling part time and attended modelling classes at Ice Model Management. I started visiting the gym to get into top form to be noticed easier, and the rest is history,” says Vuma.
“I was born in Ntshixi outside Giyani to a family of 11 children where I am the second born. My elder brother is Vincent Vuma, South African Boxing Champion, who has won World Boxing Federation (WBF), International Boxing Organisation (IBO), and International Boxing Federation (IBF) titles,” he says.
“I completed my Gr 12 at Khomanani High School in Majozi and went to Johannesburg hoping to further my studies.
Unfortunately I had some financial troubles and lived with my brother in his flat. I started selling sweets and cigarettes on the streets to get by and managed to complete my Security Certificate with the profit I made.
“I have three role models who motivate and inspire me. Myself because I started out as a nobody, my brother Vincent who has won several boxing titles and former president Nelson Mandela for the freedom he brought into this country,” Vuma says.
“Along with my modelling career I opened a catering company in 2013, Ndaheni Catering Company, named after my late mother who died when I was two years old,” he said.
In 2014, he founded the Amos Vuma Foundation, which offers career guidance to schools in Mopani and will soon tour the entire Limpopo.
“I started this foundation because I greatly value the importance of education. I was unfortunate not to be able to get an education and I want to give other youths the opportunity to chase their dreams.
Amos’ older brother, Vincent, described him as disciplined, hard working and always willing to help others wherever he can.
“My brother is a humanitarian and he likes helping others wherever he can. We did not have an easy childhood as we lost our mother at a very early stage in our lives, but I am glad we managed to rise past the obstacles and challenges in our lives,” he said.
