A South African model has become the first woman with albinism to grace the cover of Vogue Magazine. Thando Hopa is an advocate for people living with albinism. She is featured in this month's Vogue Portugal, for their "Africa Motherland" edition. CGTN's Julie Scheier reports.

Thando Hopa has made South Africa proud. Her own unique beauty was chosen for this month's Vogue Portugal magazine.

THANDO HOPA MODEL AND ALBINISM ACTIVIST "I have been on national covers. In fact, the first Conde Nast cover I was on was Glamour Magazine. But with respect to Vogue Portugal. I mean it's going to be shown in Milan, London. It speaks to expansion. It means that your voice is louder, you know. So, for me that means quite a lot."

Hopa, a former prosecutor and strong activist for albinism, has defied beauty norms since took up modelling in 2012.

THANDO HOPA MODEL AND ALBINISM ACTIVIST "The whole point of representation is you trying to rebrand and recreate the story that your body is living in. You're trying to make sure that your body survives the story of oppression and discrimination. And I'm hoping with this kind of representation, the more human and relatable the representation, the less the stigma will be."

JULIE SCHEIER JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA "It's not very often that we see people with albinism on the cover of fashion magazines. Right behind me, as you can see, there's nothing that's considered different or unique. But Thando Hopa has been changing that narrative. She's used her condition to show the beauty of her skin and to raise awareness around albinism."

THANDO HOPA MODEL AND ALBINISM ACTIVIST "So women with vitiligo, women with albinism, or people with albinism period. The smaller groups tend to disappear. So, what I really am hoping this will do is it not only gives a platform for people with albinism but minority groups in particular so that people begin to understand that that representation is with really significant value and that basically we need a more human-centric approach in media."

REA KHOABANE FASHION JOURNALIST, SUNDAY TIMES "She's a great example of breaking stereotype, and breaking stereotype is that inclusivity is part of it and she is one phenomenal woman who has been chosen to represent African women, black women, people with albinism. She's opening not just to the western world but a whole new European world which is Portuguese people."

Thando was chosen as one of BBC's most influential women in the world in 2018. She hopes to continue using her voice to highlight issues affecting minority communities. JS, CGTN, JHB, SA.