City models miss out on Hollywood trip

Bruce Ndlovu
The Zimbabwean team for the World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) left without the pair of Bulawayo models, Shadel Noble and Tatenda Manungo, who could not come up with the necessary funds for their trip to the United States.

Noble and Manungo, both products of the countrya��s most reputable modelling agencies, Fingers, were set to join other top models from around the world in the contest which is taking place at Terrace Theatre and Seaside Ballroom in Hollywood.

The competition began on 8 July and ends 16 on July.

WCOPA, sometimes referred to as the a�?Olympics of the Performing Artsa�?, sees competitors of every age judged in acting, singing, dancing, modelling, instrumentalists, and variety of other categories.

This year Zimbabwe is being represented in 5 different categories by Sylent Nqo, an instrumentalist and one of the fastest rising and highly-sought after local guitarists; versatile award-winning beat-boxer ProBeatz, model Tafadzwa Carol Guzha, and Timothy Hogo a popular radio and TV personality with ZBC.

Noble and Manungo were initially earmarked to be part of the group, but according to their manager Nokuthaba Sibanda, they missed the boat as they dinot come up with the money to fund their Hollywood sojourn. The duo needed at least $5 000 to fund their trip.

a�?We could not come up with the finances and we found that no one was willing to fund their trip. We tried all avenues but not even one sponsor came to our aid. We only received support from fashion designers who asked us to come up with material that they would use to design outfits for the two of them for free,a�? she said.

Sibanda said that although the two had missed out on the opportunity this year, they were going to be given a chance at next yeara��s showpiece.

a�?We spoke to the mother body and they said the models can participate again next year. They are lucky because at their age they can have another crack at it. However, we are not sure whether they will have to re-submit for next yeara��s competition,a�? she said.