Harare-born model, Sarah Van de Ruit, who is signed under Model Management International modelling agency, was recently crowned Miss May in the ongoing annual online global pageant G-Tel Face of Zimbabwe (Foz).
The popular beauty received the highest public votes and the highest nominations from an experienced panel of Foz judges, fending off challenge from close contender, Cynthia Qongo who became runner-up.
A former Peterhouse School (in Marondera) student, Van de Ruit has been a model since the age of 16 after being spotted by Judith Williams who runs Model Management International, a leading modelling agency in Harare and since then, she has been quietly notching top-end modelling assignments in between her full-time job as an accountant at a local firm.
“She’s a stunning beauty, a photographer’s dream and a strong contender for the Face of Zimbabwe 2013 crown,” said SA-based model and actor, Melgin Tafirenyika, who is one of the Foz judges. UK-based model Carol Kumbukani, who is also part of the judging panel, commended Van de Ruit for her passionate display of love for her motherland and desire to represent the country in the competition.
She added that the competition was about finding the face that represented Zimbabwean beauty and diversity and Sarah captured the spirit of the competition.
Foz pageant, which recently signed a deal with G Telecoms, a leading supplier of mobile phone and accessories as the competition’s headline sponsor for 2012, was launched last year and has since gained widespread international acclaim as a professionally run pageant in which winners become active tourism and charity ambassadors in the community.
“The Gtel–Foz finals will take place on December 15 in Harare and some of the prizes for the winners will include a university scholarship grant, a car and over $3 000 cash for the winner, among other prizes,” said Foz marketing director Mike Tashaya.
The competition has so far fielded entries from Zimbabweans in more than 20 countries from as far as Turkey, Dubai, China, Canada, UK, US, Botswana, Malawi, Cyprus and Russia, among others.
