Online Reporter
Melissa Mpofu
AS beauty pageants continue to gain momentum in Zimbabwe, there is a woman who is quietly becoming a key force behind this growth.
Businesswoman and philanthropist Apphia Musavengana, the president and founder of Concord Young Women in Business Global, has emerged as one of the driving forces.
Musavengana, who is among the sponsors of the upcoming Miss Universe Zimbabwe pageant, was one of the key backers of the recently held Mr and Miss Nust pageant in Bulawayo.
Contestants walked away with substantial cash prizes and vehicles.
Her support helped elevate the profile of the competition and underscored the growing confidence of private sector players in Zimbabwe’s pageantry industry.
“My interest in sponsoring pageants in Zimbabwe comes from my passion for empowering young women and creating platforms that unlock confidence, leadership and opportunity.
“Global platforms such as Miss Universe, Miss World and Miss South Africa have shown the world how pageantry can transform lives, create ambassadors and open international opportunities for young women.
“I believe Zimbabwe also has the talent, beauty, intelligence and cultural richness to compete and shine on the global stage.
“That inspired me to invest in the pageant industry as a tool for empowerment, leadership development and nation branding,” she said.
For Musavengana, supporting pageants goes beyond sponsorship and aligns with her broader vision of empowering women and young people through leadership and entrepreneurship.
“It is both a personal passion and part of a broader empowerment vision.
“As the president and founder of Concord Young Women in Business Global, my mission has always been to uplift, mentor and economically empower young women.
“Supporting pageants aligns with our broader vision of leadership development, entrepreneurship, networking and creating opportunities for young people to grow into influential leaders in society.
“International pageants such as Miss Universe have proven that these platforms can produce global leaders, businesswomen, philanthropists and influential voices,” she said.
She added:
“Pageants help young people develop critical life and career skills such as public speaking, communication, leadership, confidence, discipline, teamwork, branding and networking.
“Many former Miss Universe and Miss World contestants have gone on to become entrepreneurs, media personalities, diplomats, advocates and successful business leaders.
“These platforms prepare young people for the real world by teaching professionalism, resilience, social responsibility and personal development,” she said.
She believes pageants provide much more than crowns and titles, offering participants exposure to life-changing opportunities.
“I hope my sponsorship gives participants exposure, confidence, mentorship and access to life-changing opportunities.
“Many successful women across the world began their journeys through pageantry platforms.
“I want young Zimbabwean women to gain the same opportunities for growth, networking, education and international recognition.
“My goal is to help participants discover their purpose and realise that they are capable of becoming leaders, entrepreneurs and change-makers in society.”
Looking back on her experiences in the pageantry space, Musavengana said the most rewarding moments have been witnessing personal growth among contestants.
“One of my most memorable experiences has been witnessing the transformation of young women who joined pageants with little confidence but emerged as strong, articulate and purpose-driven individuals.
“Watching contestants embrace their identity, represent their communities proudly and develop into future leaders reminds me of the impact pageantry can have.
“Those moments are powerful because they prove that pageants are not only about crowns, they are about building futures,” she said.
Mathew Masinge