Online Reporter
Tafadzwa Zimoyo
Zimpapers Entertainment Editor
AFTER spending 32 years away from Zimbabwe, former beauty queen Angeline Musasiwa says her passion for pageantry remains as strong as it was when she represented the country on the global stage in 1994.
Musasiwa, who made history by finishing in the Top 4 at the Miss World 1994, was in the country for the Miss Universe Zimbabwe 2026 pageant.
Aishwarya Rai of India won the Miss World title in 1994.
The 44th Miss World pageant was held at the Sun City Entertainment Centre in Sun City, South Africa.
So far, her ranking is the highest placement for the country in terms of modelling is concerned.
She is happy with the remarkable growth of Zimbabwe’s pageantry industry.
Speaking during her recent visit, Musasiwa said she was impressed by the professionalism, confidence and quality of contestants competing in local pageants today.
Despite living out of the country for more than three decades, she revealed that she never completely walked away from the world that made her a household name.
“Pageantry has always been part of my life. Even though I have been away for many years, I have continued to follow developments and support young women through mentorship and empowerment initiatives,” she said.
Musasiwa believes Zimbabwean pageantry has undergone a major transformation since her days on the runway.
“In our time, things were different. Today, contestants are more confident, more articulate and have a broader understanding of what it means to be a beauty queen. It is no longer just about beauty, it is about leadership, advocacy and making a difference in communities,” she said.
The former beauty queen said she spent much of her 32 years abroad focusing on family, career development and community projects while maintaining a keen interest in pageantry and women’s empowerment.
“It is really lovely to be back home after a long time, 32 years, and this is my first time coming back home for Miss Universe Zimbabwe pageant, since I left the country.
“I went to work to South Africa, left modelling and got married and had children,” she said.
“I then joined the corporate sector and worked for about 20 years, and we moved to Nigeria and spent eight years, a break from the corporate sector and focused on raising my children.”
She added that the skills and opportunities she gained through pageantry played a significant role in shaping her life.
“Pageantry opened many doors for me and taught me discipline, confidence and leadership.
“I am happy to see young Zimbabwean women being given the same opportunities to grow and represent the country internationally.
“I am back in the game now and I have two brands which focuses on eyewear and skincare, based in South Africa.
“It has been lovely being back home and I am also trying to see how best I can penetrate my brand back home.”
Musasiwa’s return has generated excitement among pageant followers, many of whom still regard her as one of Zimbabwe’s most successful beauty queens.
Her outstanding performance at Miss World remains one of the country’s greatest achievements on the international pageantry stage and continues to inspire aspiring models and beauty queens.
“We have beautiful, intelligent and talented young women who can compete with the best in the world. The potential is there,” said Musasiwa.
“I am glad we now have Miss Universe Zimbabwe, Miss World Zimbabwe, Miss Intercontinental Zimbabwe and Miss Supranational Zimbabwe among other pageants, it shows the growth of modelling in the country and I encourage relative authorities to support them.”
However, she stressed that success at international level requires proper grooming, training and long-term investment rather than rushing contestants into major competitions.
“We need to prepare our models and queens properly. International pageantry is not about hurried projects.
“It takes time, consistency, mentorship and exposure to meet global standards and compete effectively,” she said.
For many, Musasiwa’s homecoming is more than just a visit — it is a reminder that true passion never fades, even after three decades away from home.
