Reigning Miss Zimbabwe Malaika Mushandu, currently in England for the Miss World pageant, is representing the country well as she has been shortlisted for two fast-track events including Top Model and Beach beauty.
She is one of 20 semi-finalists shortlisted for the Top Model category in addition to being among 36 models who qualified for the Beach Beauty event.
Mushandu added weight to her achievements by qualifying for the Top 10 Beauty with a purpose where she presented a DVD which had the recordings of her Ware and Sanitation project in Epworth.
An excited Mushandu said she was impressed. “I am excited to have been chosen as one of the Beach beauty finalists. The judges were looking for someone who was comfortable with their bodies and chose me as one of them,” she said.
She made it clear though being shortlisted for Beach beauty did not guarantee her of winning, but gave her an added advantage over those who did not qualify.
“The judges are using a scoring system this year, so the points that one scores in the fast-track events are tallied up to get a total that determines who is in the top 15 for this year,” she said.
She said qualifying for the Top model and Beach beauty was a great achievement because excelling in these competitions would give her a better chance to be in the top 15.
The eloquent model has been visible during camp as she was one of four models who were chosen to address students at the University of Cambridge when they had a debate there. Her Water and Sanitation project was one of three videos which were played during the Beauty with a Purpose dinner.
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Mushandu said the Miss World camp had been a great experience as she got a lifetime opportunity to tour various parts of England.
“We have toured Scotland, Buckingham Palace, the Edinburg Castle and Cambridge University. We have also had rides on the London Eye and I have learnt so much about the Scotland culture, their highland games and sampled their traditional food,” she said.
She also thanked her sponsors for ensuring she went to Miss World fully equipped.
“I am really grateful to TN Holdings, Edgars and ZTA for assisting me with my wardrobe as I am at par with most of the first-world country models. There is no difference as I have what they have,” she said.
Mushandu shares her room with Sierra Leone. She said was enjoying her stay in London. Asked what her chances of winning were, she said she could not tell till she knew her positions in all the fast-track events she has qualified for.
She further asked Zimbabweans to support her on Sunday when she will represent the country at the world’s biggest pageant.
“I have done my part and now it’s time for us to join hands and finish the race as a nation,” she said. Meanwhile, preparations for the 61st edition of Miss World finale which will take place at the Earls Court Two in London on Sunday evening, are at an advanced stage.
Mushandu will take to the ramp and catwalk with 112 beauties. Reigning Miss World, Alexandra Mills will crown her successor.
