Top Model of the World first runner-up, Malaika Mushandu got a morale booster for her achievements at the Miss World last year after she was given $5 000 and a scholarship by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA).
Conveying the good news, ZTA chief executive Karikoga Kaseke said Malaika had done the nation proud twice and deserved something for a job well done.
“We felt there was no other way to congratulate her and thank her for flying the country’s flag high, than giving her a scholarship. She will choose at her own time which university/college she wants to attend to pursue her studies anywhere in the world,” he said. Mushandu, who returned home from Germany last Friday, said she had fallen in love with her water and sanitation project which she started during her reign.
“I have decided to use my scholarship for a programme on water and sanitation which UNESCO offers. I will do a three-year course on water and sanitation development and policies online while I’m in Zimbabwe” she said.
She further thanked the nation and ZTA for assisting her during her reign as Miss Zimbabwe.
“I am very grateful to the whole of Zimbabwe, my friends, family and of course ZTA for their unwavering support throughout my reign. I also thank God for giving me the strength to represent my country at different international pageants I participated in,” she said.
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For being crowned first runner-up, Mushandu received a cash prize of $3 000 and additional prizes worth €3 000 from Lacomed.
She was given an international modelling contract from the World Beauty Organisation (WBO).
The queen of catwalk said she would pursue her modelling career as Top Model of the World had opened more doors for her.
“My focus now is on getting a professional portfolio which I will use to look for international contracts. With my WBO contract, I may grace various international fashion weeks held in places like New York, Nigeria and South Africa among other places,” she said.