ORGANISERS of this year’s edition of Miss Zimbabwe pageant have distanced themselves from 2012 winner Bongani Dhlakama, saying they do not see her as the reigning queen.
WINSTONE ANTONIO OWN CORRESPONDENT
Dhlakama won the crown in 2012 before the pageant disappeared.
Miss Zimbabwe Trust chairperson Marry Mubaiwa Chiwenga said as the new organisers of the pageant, they were not working with Dhlakama since her term elapsed in 2013.
“There is no reigning Miss Zimbabwe as it stands since the country last held the pageant in 2012 meaning the winner’s term expired in 2013,” she said, adding that Environment, Water and Climate minister Saviour Kasukuwere would crown the new queen.
“Whatever Dhlakama will be doing, it must be well-known that she is not representing the face of Miss Zimbabwe.”
Chiwenga said if Dhlakama wanted to be involved in the pageant, she was free to approach them and share her experiences with the models just like what former Miss Universe Langa Sibanda did. Sibanda gave the models some tips.
“It was not our obligation to look for Dhlakama as we had invited everyone who was interested in participating and it seems as if Dhlakama was not interested and never turned up having heard about the event,” Chiwenga said.
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The country’s premier beauty pageant will be held under the theme Taking ZimAsset to Greater Heights on Saturday at Mabvazuva Village (formerly Caravan Park) in Msasa, Harare, with a bevy of 15 models taking to the ramp.
Chiwenga said they were working on revamping the pageant to match international standards unlike the previous pageants.
“People should expect something different in the history of Miss Zimbabwe beauty pageant. The pageant will be beamed live on television and is an exclusive black tie event that is strictly by invitation,” she said.
Chiwenga said the queen would be endorsed as the environment ambassador. The winner will get a Chevrolet Cruze while the first and second princess will each get a Chevrolet Spark Lite.
The queen is going to represent the nation at the Miss World pageant to be held on December 14 in London. Artistes billed to perform at the event include contemporary musician Jah Prayzah, dendera musician Sulumani Chimbetu, Alick Macheso and Trevor Dongo among others.
Models who spoke to NewsDay said they were ready to take to the ramp.
“I am well-prepared and ready to walk on the ramp despite what could have been said by some people regarding the modelling sector. To me, entering the pageant is not about the material prize, but it is a platform to be involved in charity work,” Thabiso Phiri said.
Rairo Gunguwo, who participated and failed to impress at the same pageant in 2012, said she was confident that she would be crowned the winner.
Tendai Hunda, who participated at last year’s edition of Miss Carnival where she was among the top-seven models, said she was hoping for better fortunes come Saturday.
