Online Reporter
Trust Khosa-Zimpapers Entertainment Hub
IN a major boost for rural pageantry, Mr and Miss Rural Zimbabwe finalists from Mashonaland East Province are set to become proud owners of residential stands following a pledge by local businessman Lincoln Mambare.
Pageant founder Sipho Mazibuko hailed entrepreneur Mambare for pledging 12 residential stands for district winners from the province, describing the gesture as a significant milestone in the empowerment of rural models.
The pledge is a major development in the history of the pageant, which has carved a niche for itself by identifying and empowering talented models from marginalised communities who often struggle to access opportunities available to their urban counterparts.
“I would like to praise Cde Lincoln Mambare, who has pledged housing stands for all 12 winners in their respective districts, as well as to Queen Belle (Nomatter Silibele Mpofu) from Matabeleland South,” said Mazibuko.
“This is a game-changer for pageantry as we hail partners who have come on board to assist us in making this pageant a success.”
Mazibuko said she was confident that the national finals, scheduled for September 27, would live up to expectations.
“We have covered much ground, and we are glad that we will certainly put on a good show.
“We want to change the fortunes and lives of rural models who have a lot to offer,” she said.
Regarding the Mashonaland East finalists’ residential stands, Mazibuko was optimistic that the gesture would have a lasting impact on the beneficiaries.
“We have been longing for such offers, and this defines the power of pageantry in changing lives. We simply endorse such offers,” she added.
Among the recipients are Lynne Muzavavi and Ngakudzwe Kasokomba from Uzumba East; Priviledge Mandebvu (Murehwa District South); Tawananyasha Zamadenga (Murehwa West); Vigilence Mushonga (Murehwa); Amanda Mkuwa (Mutoko District South); Roselyn Ruvarashe Mandimutsira (Marondera District); Hazel Daisy Hondo and Tawananyasha Vumbunu (Goromonzi District); Hildah Njirisi (Wedza District North); Jane Muzarurwi (Wedza South); Charity Chikobo (Seke District); and Babra Mufote from Chikomba District. Other models who were also honoured include representatives from Matabeleland South, Manicaland, Matabeleland North and Masvingo.
Being one of Zimbabwe’s premier beauty contests, Mr and Miss Rural Zimbabwe is famed for identifying raw talent from the country’s rural communities and giving young models a platform to showcase their abilities.
The contest has also been hailed for empowering contestants to gain confidence, express themselves with dignity and develop skills that can help them pursue opportunities beyond the pageant. Beyond the glamour associated with beauty contests, the pageant has increasingly positioned itself as a platform for rural empowerment. Organisers believe that initiatives such as the residential stand pledge can give contestants a tangible foundation on which to build their future.
The gesture also highlights the growing importance of partnerships between the private sector and pageantry in creating opportunities for young people in communities that have traditionally been overlooked. Such support could encourage more businesses to invest in rural talent and development programmes.
The Mr and Miss Rural Zimbabwe pageant is more than beauty and fashion. It is about pride in where we come from and showing that Zimbabwe’s villages have talent, culture and leaders who can represent the country.
On September 27, Heritage Village will welcome contestants from all provinces, where they will walk, talk and share their stories in a venue built to honour Zimbabwe’s past while looking towards the future. The national finals will celebrate outstanding models from Zimbabwe’s rural communities and are expected to attract a large audience, including policymakers, traditional leaders and stakeholders committed to rural development and women’s empowerment.
