Byo unites to send Miss Tourism queen to China

Bulawayo will come together this month to celebrate and support one of its own as reigning Miss Tourism Zimbabwe, Zanele Moyo, prepares for her journey to China next month.

The 23-year-old beauty queen will be honoured at a send-off dinner set for June 26 at Kings Kraal in Bulawayo, an event organisers say is not only about celebrating her achievement but also rallying the city behind her as she prepares to represent Zimbabwe on the global stage.

One of the event’s handlers, Lorraine Sibanda, said the event is meant to unite Bulawayo while celebrating culture, tourism, and youth excellence.

“We are using this send-off dinner to bring Bulawayo together in one room. Moyo is the reigning Miss Tourism Zimbabwe, and this presents an opportunity to celebrate our culture, lifestyle and who we are as a people. When visitors come to our country and our city, it is we who they experience.

“This dinner is not only about celebrating Moyo’s achievement of winning the Miss Tourism Zimbabwe title and her upcoming trip to China in 2026, but also about giving Bulawayo a chance to unite and celebrate one of its own,” she said.

Sibanda said young people pursuing initiatives that place Zimbabwe on the global map deserve full support from their communities.

“Moyo is only 23 years old, yet she is already an entrepreneur. We see her as a community leader and a role model. Beauty pageants help young people develop self-confidence, public relations skills, social media management expertise and an entrepreneurial mindset.

“While this dinner is a celebration of her achievements, it is also meant to inspire other young people to pursue their dreams, follow their passions and create solutions for their communities, knowing that society can rally behind and support them,” she said.

Beyond celebration, the dinner will also serve as a practical training platform for Moyo as she sharpens her leadership and communication skills.

“This event is also a learning experience for Moyo. Fundraising, sponsorship acquisition, stakeholder engagement and partnership management are not easy tasks, and they are areas she did not previously come from. Through this journey, we are equipping her with valuable skills.

“She is learning how to approach potential partners, present the value of her journey, secure sponsorships and market both Bulawayo and Zimbabwe. If she can successfully sell this dinner and its vision, then she will be able to market Bulawayo and Zimbabwe with confidence on the global stage,” she said.

Sibanda said organisers are confident Moyo has what it takes to excel internationally.

“She is an exceptional young woman, highly creative and already making remarkable strides as an entrepreneur. We have great confidence in her abilities and believe that if she brings the title home, this journey will open even bigger opportunities and take her to greater heights,” she said.

Sibanda said guests should expect an elegant evening filled with entertainment and culture.

“It is going to be an exciting night showcasing Bulawayo’s talent through music, food and poetry. The venue has assigned an amazing chef for the evening and we also have a surprise guest who will help send Moyo off in style.

“It will be a room filled with like-minded people coming together over dinner to wish a young woman and a leader in our community well on her journey.”

She, however, said more support is still needed as preparations continue.

“There’s still a significant gap in accommodation, regalia, and travel costs. Zanele will spend 14 days in China and requires close to 20 outfits, which comes at a considerable expense.

“We’re also appealing for support from media professionals who can assist with producing the video presentation she will showcase in China. This is a rare opportunity to present Zimbabwe’s culture, cuisine, lifestyle and people to a global audience in just three minutes.”

Guests attending the dinner have been encouraged to come ready to celebrate and help make the evening a memorable occasion.

“We want people to dress up, come with an open mind and be ready to celebrate. We want to light up Bulawayo for one night and create a memorable occasion where the city comes together to honour one of its own.

“When people buy tickets and attend, they are not only supporting Moyo, but also standing with Bulawayo and proudly saying, ‘This is who we are as a city.’ We look forward to welcoming everyone and showcasing the best of Bulawayo and Zimbabwe to the world.”