adminThupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
Preparations for the inaugural Miss Valentine Beitbridge that will be held at Purple Heart Hall tomorrow evening have gathered momentum, show organisers have said. A total of eight contestants are expected to outwit each other on the ramp.
The contestants are Roynah Kassim (18), Ruvimbo Mukandatsama (19), Alethia Shumba (23), Valentine Makere (19), Samkeliso Nyathi (23), Amanda Makate (17), Carolis Moyo (17) and Charlyn Muleya (21). The show is being organised by Project Runway, a youth initiative led by veteran model Miss Vanessa Mbedzi.
In an interview yesterday, Miss Mbedzi said they had lined up models aged between 17 and 23 years from the border town.
She said a number of renowned local artistes – The Hoxers, CJ and Crew and Mic Charmer – will spice up the event.
“Preparations are now at an advanced stage and we are calling on the people of Beitbridge to attend in their numbers,” said Miss Mbedzi.
“We are organising a small, but very classy pageant to showcase the beauty of our young ladies, at the same time we want to scout for talent and introduce different categories for the pageant.
“For instance, we will be having People’s Choice model, who will be voted for via Facebook. I want to use the experience I gained as model when I competed for Miss Zimbabwe USA (2012), Miss Africa USA and Carnival Queen of Zimbabwe and Miss World Zimbabwe.”
Miss Mbedzi said there would be lots of prizes to be won on the day.
She said they had attracted a number of sponsors for the event.
Miss Mbedzi said they had already identified the panel of experienced judges among them Samantha Tshuma of the Open Eye Studio in Bulawayo and many others to be availed on Friday evening.
“The theme being “Beauty, Brains, Goodwill and Leadership,” she said.
Miss Mbedzi said the pageant will be used to fundraise and mobilise resources for Project School Run under The Watchmen Trust, which seeks to assist the elementary students with access to education through the provision of tuition fees, stationary and uniforms.
She said tickets were being sold at Chimes House Inn (Town), Mamoe’s Restaurant (Rank), and Tinashe’s Cellular Shop (Mashakada).
Online Reporter