Online Reporter
Tafadzwa Zimoyo-Zimpapers Entertainment Editor
BRUNETTE Makanyiso is expected to return home today after making Zimbabwe proud with a stunning Top 12 finish at the 75th Anniversary Miss World Festival in Vietnam.
Brunette is expected to touch down at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport at 10am.
She is expected to receive a warm welcome after spending weeks representing Zimbabwe on one of the world’s biggest beauty stages.
The 26-year-old pharmacist returns home with her head held high after emerging among the top 12 contestants in a competition which attracted more than 100 of the world’s most beautiful and accomplished women.
Her journey to the Top 12 was built largely on ‘Beauty With A Purpose’, the humanitarian heart of the Miss World competition.
Brunette’s project, Tomorrow Starts Today, proved to be one of the strongest in the competition and ultimately became her ticket into the Top 12.
After missing out on the Head-to-Head and Talent challenges, Brunette remained determined to keep her campaign alive.
Her breakthrough came when she emerged as one of the outstanding ‘Beauty With A Purpose’ contestants, earning a place in the Top 12 alongside some of the competition’s biggest contenders.
The achievement was particularly significant for Zimbabwe, as Brunette carried the country’s flag through a highly competitive field that included representatives from across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Caribbean and the Americas.
When the Top 12 were announced in Nha Trang, Brunette’s name was among those called, sparking celebrations among Zimbabweans following the competition from home.
She subsequently faced another major challenge when the Top 12 contestants took part in the question-and-answer segment.
Asked what advice she would give to someone wanting to start their own ‘Beauty With a Purpose’ project, Brunette encouraged people to begin with whatever resources they have rather than waiting for the perfect conditions.
It was an answer that reflected the message behind her own campaign — that meaningful change can begin with small steps.
Although she did not advance to the final six, reaching the Top 12 represented a major achievement for Zimbabwe.
Brunette’s performance also added another chapter to the country’s Miss World history, following previous representatives who have taken Zimbabwe’s name to the international stage.
Her campaign was about more than gowns, glamour and the glittering Miss World stage.
Throughout her stay in Vietnam, Brunette participated in humanitarian activities, cultural experiences, interviews and challenges while showcasing Zimbabwean identity and engaging with contestants from around the globe.
Her journey also saw her build a strong following back home, with Zimbabweans closely tracking her progress as she moved through the various stages of the competition.
