SOUTH AFRICA-BASED Zimbabwe model Jemimah Kandemiiri has assumed an African identity as she advocates for the independence of women.
Kandemiiri told NewsDay Life & Style that she is working with various departments in South Africa to host an African pageant, Miss Afropolitan, which aims to celebrate a full African experience.
“Miss Afropolitan means someone who has roots in Africa, raised by the world but still has an interest on the continent and is feeding back onto the continent and trying to better it,” Kandemiiri said.
She also noted that the pageant will celebrate African aspects.
“The pageant is typically set apart from European standards, that is why we are celebrating being African. The pageant is not going to include categories like swimwear or artificial hair. It will be people exhibiting aspects of their culture,” she added.
Kandemiiri said the pageant was open to those that were deeply rooted in Africa notwithstanding that they are no longer working or staying on the continent.
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She also noted that the Miss Afropolitan pageant will advocate for women’s independence so that they can be able to start projects that are lucrative in their own countries.
Kandemiiri said she had realised that models competed and return home with nothing sometimes.
“Unlike other pageants where models must source their own transportation or air tickets and other expenses, the only thing that models must worry about is their own preparations. Various embassies that we are working with will cover travel expenses,” she said.
Kandemiiri has also ventured into sportswear with her brand Pro Fit Threads and is working on a beauty project.
She hopes that these projects will help to link models to makeup, skincare and enable them to build solid careers.
The model graduated from Figures SA Modelling and her accolades include Miss Uniworld, Miss Africa Continent Princess and Miss International Zimbabwe. She is a holder of a law degree from the University of Pretoria.