AFTER having to cancel all events due to the COVID-19 pandemic and dealing with business partners and senior models abandoning ship, a local youth development agency has risen from the proverbial ashes and is now doing even better than before.
Next Development Academy, situated in the northern areas of Nelson Mandela Bay, is a non-profit organisation that was established in 2017 to help the youth reach their full potential in terms of modelling.
Co-founder and now sole owner of the NGO, Viv Gardner, said that although the aim of the organisation was initially to develop modelling skills, the spectrum broadened after various talents among interested candidates were discovered.
“Our mission is to develop, empower and equip young individuals who have the passion to grow. Being a runway model myself and having to travel far, I wanted to start something within the northern areas and the idea was to open a modelling academy.
“That, however, changed to a development academy to teach and equip our youth. Apart from runway training we try to develop different skills within our youngsters from the entertainment industry and even do charity work.”
Gardner explained that during the height of the pandemic, the NGO faced serious challenges and the organisation was nearly derailed.
“During the pandemic all our events had to be cancelled; some of our sponsors withdrew and even my business partners walked away. Although it was very hard to get back on track, I kept the vision and dreams for this academy alive through prayers.”
He added that over the course of the last year, most of the academy’s senior models broke away and lost interest in the organisation.
“In February 2022, more than 40 new young individuals signed up to be part of the academy.
“With my being the sole owner, director and runway trainer at the academy, three of my senior models stepped up and assisted me so much with (helping) the new members.
“New sponsors came on board and are helping us with venues for training and events.
“Event companies are asking to use our models at their local events, which is great exposure for our academy.
“Looking at these youngsters and seeing how passionate and determined they are makes me as a young man more eager and determined to lead this academy to greatness,” he said.
Gardner mentioned that since the academy is a non-profit organisation, it relies heavily on sponsors and help from the community as well, and even in this regard his models have been going the extra mile.
“Our highly trained models offer up their time and effort to help out at local events within our community, from being ushers and welcoming guests at doors or escorting them to their seats, to visiting old ages homes to pamper our elderly.
“They take on various projects within the community because at this academy we believe in giving back to others because that is how we grow.
“I can’t thank them enough for all their sacrifices,” Gardner said.
