Online Reporter
Maria Chiguvari
THE Top 18 finalists for the Miss Universe Zimbabwe beauty pageant, who were released by the organisers yesterday, are a bevy of beauties and all indications are that the quest for the title will be a battle royale.
Kuzivakaashe Mujakachi, Jemima Mandemwa, Monalisa Dube, Roseanna Hall, Shelly Bent, Ruvimbo Njomboro, Malaika Mushandu, Cheryl Sambadzai, Nomaqhikiza Mokoni, Paris Huni, Brunnette Makanyiso, Kudzaishe Mwanika, Virginia Tlou Nyambe, Adelle Chinamasa, Charmaine Mabvundwe, Nicole Nyawera, Tatenda Madunga, and Sindiso Ndlovu are the last 18 women standing in the race.
They are from across the country while others are from Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom.
Six will fall on the wayside and only 12 finalists will advance to boot camp ahead of the grand finale scheduled for June 6 at the Harare Hippodrome.
That is where Zimbabwe’s next queen will be crowned.
The winner will compete at the 75th Miss Universe pageant, which will be held in Puerto Rico in November.
This will be the diamond anniversary of the competition.
The organisers said:
“Congratulations to our phenomenal TOP 18 finalists.
‘‘The journey continues for these remarkable queens as they move one step closer to the crown.
“The competition is getting tougher, the stakes are getting higher and we are only getting started.”
Since the return of the Miss Universe Zimbabwe pageant in 2023, several models and pageant veterans have competed more than once.
Among them is Malaika, a Zimbabwean model who rose to fame after becoming one of the youngest winners of the Miss Zimbabwe pageant in 2011.
Ruvimbo secured a place in the Top 30 last year after some impressive performances in previous years, where she finished as the second runner-up in 2024 and later represented Zimbabwe at Miss Cosmo 2024.
Roseanna was a judge for Miss Universe Zimbabwe 2025.
She holds the title of Miss Zimbabwe-Diaspora 2017 and has also returned for the crown.
Shelly made history last year in India when she became the only African contestant to reach the Top 12 at the Universal Woman pageant, highlighting her talent and international appeal.
Kuzivakwashe is a Zimbabwean-Canadian model, television personality, and beauty queen known for appearing on Big Brother Canada 11 and The Traitors Canada.
She first gained recognition after finishing as Miss World Zimbabwe 2018 Second Princess and winning the People’s Choice award.
In 2018, she became the first Miss World Zimbabwe contestant to hold both titles at the same time. Over the years, the Miss Universe Zimbabwe race has been won by the likes of Sakhile Dube, Brooke Bruk-Jackson and Lyshanda Moyas.
