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Hopa shines in law and fashion

A career combination of fashion model and prosecutor is an unusual package. But petite Thando Hopa takes it all in her stride.

Despite a life that appears successful and admirable, Hopa had to surmount mountains of social hurdles to be walking the path she's walking now.

Born with albinism, Hopa had to contend with prejudice from children not better informed about her condition, as well as overcoming the physical limitations albinism placed before her.

She cites poor eyesight as having been her biggest challenge. "It took a while for my parents to find the right school to accommodate my specific requirements with respect to my eyesight, which is related to my albinism. I was in three primary schools, finally finishing at Aloe Ridge Primary."

The historical school in a pleasant pastoral setting in Walkerville, not far from where she grew up in Lenasia in southern Johannesburg, is a normal school with a high reputation for nurturing its young charges.

She cites university days as the most difficult, both during lectures and when she had to read for course work.

"My eyesight was a bit of an issue, especially having to read large quantities of work without reading glasses, because reading glasses didn't help at all. But because I rarely encountered numbers, usually I'd focus on listening to the lecturer more than trying to make out what was on the board.

"But, if I really struggled my friend would whisper what was written on the board so I wouldn't fall behind."

In her career as a prosecutor, Hopa specialises in sexual offences cases.

"I learn how strong people are every day. I learn how people are survivors."

Though injustices of her childhood when people looked at her differently may have inspired her career choice, Hopa said seeking to study law was mainly out of curiosity.

"I was in Grade 11 when I just decided I wanted to be a lawyer. At that time, I was driven by my desire to debate, to speak.

"I didn't fully understand the substance or dynamics that came with the content of studying law."

The 26-year-old Hopa never practised as a lawyer. After graduation she went straight to join the National Prosecution Authority (NPA).

"When I started out with the NPA, I was the youngest prosecutor in my cluster [at 23]. And how [long] I will be here, it mostly depends on growth."

Hopa is happy to juggle law and fashion. She has come far since she hit the ramp for the first time during the 2012 SA Fashion Week where she showcased Gert-Johan Coetzee's spring/summer collection during the show.

l Today marks the start of the annual Albinism Awareness Month in SA. During this month the health department provides information and support awareness activities on albinism.

HOPA'S FACT FILE

A third born child, Thando Hopa grew up in Lenasia South with two older sisters and a younger brother. Her brother was also born with albinism.

The hostility of society towards her condition, compounded by teasing by other children, was offset by a happy family background.

Despite open rejection to her difference, Hopa enjoyed the beauty of multiculturism at home as her filmmaker mother is Sotho-speaking while her engineer father is Xhosa.

Her father fortified her confidence by telling her she was "the most beautiful little girl" he had ever seen. Thando is also a poet.

She matriculated from St Martins High in Rosettenville.

"I have dreams about many other things I want to do. I work on my dreams when I have the time, to find ways to make them tangible."