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Brenda Phiri Entertainment Reporter
Carnival Queen, Dananai Chipunza, last week left the country for Malaysia where she will represent Zimbabwe at the Miss Tourism International 2013 from that takes place on January 2 next year.
The 21-year-old who will take on contestants from 30 other contestants said she is set to leave an impression at the world finals in the city of Kuala Lampur.
“I have been preparing myself physically and mentally for this pageant and I am confident that I will do well. I have put together my costumes as well as material for marketing the country during the camp. I am full of surprises and will certainly put my best foot forward,” she said.
She added that although she is sad to be away from her close friends and family during the festive season, she is excited about her roles of representing the country at the forum.
“I am hoping to lift the crown and I believe ZTA has adequately prepared me in terms of knowledge about international tourism,” she said
Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) on the other hand is confident about Chipunza’s representation, according to spokesperson Sugar Chagonda.
Chagonda said the carnival queen had worked hard in her preparations and appealed for people to support her in her endeavors.
“We are happy that the country is going to be represented by a contestant of such substance. She is our ambassador and will also showcase one of Zimbabwe’s wonders, which is its people and culture. She has been outstanding in her duties here at ZTA and has managed to come up with projects like Fund a Future for AIDS orphans,” he said.
Speaking on the essence of Miss Carnival, Chagonda reiterated that although ZTA was no longer running beauty pageants, they are essential in promoting destinations.
“Miss Carnival was by default because as is the norm, a queen has to be selected to head the country’s carnival procession. It is up to us then to send her to a suitable and reputable pageant to represent the country,” he said.
Quizzed to comment on the failure by the country to send a representative at the Miss World he had this to say;
“It is sad and unfortunate. As a country, such platforms are opportunities for the country’s brand visibility. It is where you announce your presence in the global matrix. This is why you find that even in football, locals end up supporting other African countries as ours will be absent,” he said.
Meanwhile, preparations for next year’s Miss Carnival are in progress. The ZTA has already started to invite participants from all parts of the country to register.
Online Reporter