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TWENTY-FIVE year-old Charlotte Muziri was crowned Miss Zimbabwe Queen 2022 at the inaugural pageant after showing off 11 other contestants.
The event was held at the Harare International Conference Centre on Saturday, after a four-year pause, due to Covid-19 lockdowns, across the globe.
Charlotte walked away with a brand new VW, courtesy of PanJap Motors, among other prizes, pledged by the sponsors.
First runner-up was Gina Dee Mutemeri while the second runner-up was Stacy Hall.
The event was attended by some of the former Miss Zimbabwe winners since 1980, who were leading the pack.
The panel of judges, included the guest Zari The Boss Lady, former models Lisa Morgen, Samantha Tshuma, Caroline Marufu, Langa Sibanda, Belinda Potts, Shirley Nyanyiwa, Angeline Musasiwa, Brita Masalethulini and Vanessa Sibanda, who rose to fame after being crowned Miss Zimbabwe.
The pageant is the brainchild of former Miss Zimbabwe Tendai Bongani Hunda, and fellow beauty queen Hilda Mabu.
“What’s important is having all the former Miss Zimbabwe contestants since 1980.
“I am at a loss for words. It has been a while since we had a national pageant in Zimbabwe.
“So, we feel this is the beginning of a revolution.
“This marks the beginning of Zimbabwe’s global status.
“I have watched a lot of Zimbabwean contests and I really felt this should be Zimbabwe’s date.
“We are just young women who want to empower other women and I hope next year it will be bigger and better.
“Zimbabwe will be on top at all stages,” said Tendai Hunda.
Mabu said: “This is the beginning and I hope next year it will be bigger and better.
“I thank each and every sponsor for their support.
“It has not been an easy journey, sleepless nights: we fought,” she added.
Charlotte Muziri will represent Zimbabwe at international pageants such as Miss Earth, Miss International, Miss Intercontinental, Miss Model of the World and Top Model of the World.
Charlotte was born in Chibi District.
She is the only child of an agricultural extension worker.
She holds a Bsc Honours degree in Rural and Urban Planning from the University of Zimbabwe.
She is a town planner, as well as a fashion and runway model by profession.
Since 1980, Zimbabwe has witnessed the crowning of Shirley Nyanyiwa (1980), Juliet Nyathi (1981), Caroline Murinda (1982), Anne Marie Mombeyarara (1992), Karen Stally (1993), Angeline Musasiwa (1994), Dione Best (1995), Nomusa Ndiweni (1996), Una Patel (1997), Annette Kambarami (1998), Brita Masalethulini (1999), Victoria Moyo (2000), Nokuthula Mpuli (2001), Linda Van Beek (2002), Phoebe Monjane (2003), Oslie Muringai (2004), Loraine Maphala (2005), Nomsa Ndiweni (2006), Caroline Marufu (2007), Vanessa Sibanda (2009), Samantha Tshuma (2010), Malaika Mushandu (2011), Bongani Dlakama (2012), Thabiso Phiri (2014), Cathrine Makaya (2015), Annie Grace Mutambu (2015, Chiedza Mhosva (2017), Belinda Potts (2018).
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter