Online Reporter
Sipepisiwe Moyo, [email protected]
Reigning Miss World Zimbabwe, Courtney Jongwe, is gearing up to represent the country at the Miss World Festival set to take place in Telangana, India, this May. Jongwe, who was crowned at the national finals in Harare last year, will compete against contestants from over 100 countries.
Following the success of the 71st Miss World Festival in New Delhi and Mumbai, the global pageant now moves to Telangana, a region renowned for its rich cultural heritage and modern advancements. The grand finale will run from May 7 to May 31, 2025 in Hyderabad where reigning Miss World Krystyna Pyszková of Czechia will crown her successor.
Organisers of the local pageant said Jongwe, a 23-year-old Chemical and Processing Engineering student at Manicaland State University was hard at work preparing for the grand stage.
“Jongwe is no stranger to the international stage — she previously represented Zimbabwe at the 2023 Miss Earth competition. With a strong passion for mental health advocacy, she aims to use the Miss World platform to amplify her message and inspire change,” organisers said.
“As she prepares to compete, we plead with Zimbabweans to rally behind her, celebrating the nation’s beauty, resilience and purpose on the global stage.”
During her reign, Jongwe, a SADC Regional Student Representative under the Unesco 03Plus Project, has been actively advocating for students to prioritise their mental health on campus. She has also been instrumental in breaking the silence on gender-based violence (GBV) in institutions of higher learning.
In a statement, Julia Morley, chairman and CEO of Miss World Limited, expressed excitement over the choice of host city.
“We are delighted to bring the 72nd Miss World Festival to Telangana, a state that beautifully represents its culture, innovation, and hospitality. This collaboration is about more than just a pageant — it’s about empowering communities, celebrating diversity, and making a lasting impact through our shared commitment to ‘Beauty with a Purpose’,” she said.
