Organisers of Miss Zimbabwe 2012 have announced they will trim their current 35 contestants in camp to 18 for the final through systematic evictions.
Gerald Mashonga, one of the organisers, said every weekend there would be an eviction dubbed the road to Miss Zimbabwe as a build-up to the final contest. Every weekend we will be evicting at least three girls till we remain with the final 18.
In order to avoid eviction, the girls will have to show the highest level of discipline and exhibit intelligence. Everyone has to work hard during the camp, said Mashonga.
The models converged in Marondera on Saturday for their boot camp ahead of the final slated for March 24 at the Harare International Conference Centre.
Management of the pageant has reverted to the Miss Zimbabwe Trust after six years under the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority. This years theme is I am Zimbabwean.
Mushonga said the girls were under lock and key at a secret location in Marondera.
We assured the models parents that they would be safe with us so we are not in a position to reveal the name of the lodge as we are trying to protect them from the public by avoiding unnecessary visitors, he said.
Mashonga said the girls would be in camp for a month to ensure they perfectly meet the demands of the current theme.
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The girls will be educated about their country in order to execute the I am Zimbabwean theme. They will get to know more about their culture, land, moral ethics and tradition as Zimbabweans, among other issues.
The rebranding of the pageant was meant to redefine a real Zimbabwean woman whose beauty is deeper than the skin.
The pageant has new add-ons including a reality show produced with the assistance of Gary Thompson and Associates.
The show is expected to be aired on ZBC-TV. Members of the public will be given a chance to vote for their favourite model.
Once crowned, some of Miss Zimbabwes roles will be to fundraise for good causes and participate in community-based programmes. She will also be given a chance to represent the country at the Miss World pageant among other international pageants. The pageants prizes are yet to be revealed.
The organisers are still having difficulty securing funds for the show. Mashonga expressed disappointment with the Zimbabwean community for failing to promote the girl child.
We are expecting the government to chip in and support the girl child. We have approached some sectors, but most of them have not responded, he said.
He however said lack of sponsorship would not stop the show as they were going on with or without funds. The last edition of the pageant was glamorous with winners pocketing thousands of dollars and winning cars.
Miss Zimbabwe (Malaika Mushandu) received a BMW 318i, Miss Tourism Zimbabwe (Rumbidzayi Mudzengerere) received a Mercedes-Benz C200 Kompressor, Miss Universe (Lisa Morgan) received a Toyota Celica while Miss G-Tide Face of Zimbabwe (Kimberly Cole) received a Toyota Corolla.
