adminBrenda Phiri Arts Correspondent
Miss Universities beauty pageant finalists took to the streets of Harare on Saturday in an aggressive HIV and Aids campaign that saw the 26 six finalists educating the public on the reproductive health. This comes at a time when the show’s organisers are going to great lengths in making the pageant a unique one through community participation.
“As is the norm every year, the girls choose a topic to advocate when they get into camp. This is part of our efforts to promote beauty with a purpose. We are changing the face of beauty pageants in the country by giving them a platform for empowerment and development,” said one of the organisers Katherine Sukutu.
She added that the models had undergone briefing from Safaids on male circumcision, male and female contraceptive methods prior to the campaign to ensure they handed out the correct information.
“This is only the beginning. We want the finalists to learn as much on developmental issues as possible while they are in boot camp. Yesterday, they had an industrial tour where they visited Harare’s Dairiboard Company,” she said.
As preparations for the pageant continue to gather momentum, a red carpet sashing ceremony was held at Ochi Safaris over the weekend.
Different stakeholders, including sponsors, parents and representatives from the Interpol witnessed the ceremony where they were briefed on the activities lined up until the day of the show.
A seminar will be held on the sidelines of the boot camp where a representative from the Chinese embassy and the permanent secretary in the ministry of Women’s Affairs Gender and Community Development will give lectures.
“We have partnered with Old Mutual in various charity projects that we will conduct to give back to the community. We will visit one children’s home and an old people’s home where we will make donations,” she said.
She also took the time to applaud their sponsors FBC Bank, Defu Travel and Tours, Savanna Tobacco, Old Mutual, FNT Financial Services, Bethel Communications and Gtel for their support.
Miss Universities will be held on October 12 at Ochi City.
Online Reporter