admin
The leggy model (23), will be in China for the next month where she will partake in the five so-called “fast track” judging categories which precede the finals.
The Bulawayo beauty is faced with a mammoth task of raising the country’s flag higher than her predecessor Miss Zimbabwe 2011 Malaika Mushandu who made it to the top 20 of the super model category.
In an interview yesterday, the lanky model expressed confidence in herself and promised to fly the country’s flag high in China.
“I have been working hard for the past month. Although it was a short time, I am confident I will do my best to represent my country,” said the bubbly model.
In the beauty with a purpose category Dhlakama is set to highlight her cervical cancer awareness project.
Dhlakama’s first project after winning Miss Zimbabwe earlier this year was to champion the campaign to conscientise society on cervical cancer.
“My project for the Miss World pageant is on cervical cancer awareness because I realised that it is one of the leading killer diseases in the country.
“It is sad that most patients are still stigmatised and that is why I have taken it upon myself to work with a number of cancer centres in my campaign,” she said.
In the performing talent category she will perform a Ndebele traditional dance, isitshikitsha.
Miss Zimbabwe 1994 Angeline Musasiwa is still the country’s record holder for the Miss World competition as she finished fourth overall in that year.
The Miss Zimbabwe Trust and the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry last week honoured their obligation and gave Dhlakama $10 000 and Edgars Stores gave her a full wardrobe while Athienitis Spar from Harare donated a gift hamper as her package for the Miss Zimbabwe crown.
The beauty queen said she had not yet decided on how she will use her prize money as she was working flat out for the Miss World preparations.
“I am too busy preparing for the Miss World finals and I haven’t pondered on how to spend the money. I will look into it after the pageant,” she said.
She indicated that the past month had been difficult as she was up and about trying to make sure she is well-groomed for the pageant.
“It has been a difficult month, going to the gym, practising isitshikitsha, embarking on the cervical cancer project all at once so I am just hoping it will all not be in vain,” said Dhlakama.
Reigning Miss World Ivian Sarcos from Venezuela is set to crown her successor at the 62nd edition of the Miss World to be held at the Dongsheng Fitness Centre Stadium in Ordos in Inner Mongolia, China.
For a contestant to make it to the top 50 of the Miss World they have to stand out in other preliminary rounds such as the Miss Beach Beauty, Designer Award, Performing Talent, Sports and Fitness, Miss Top Model and the mother of them all — Beauty with a Purpose.
The Miss World pageant is now one of the most watched annual global events on TV and this year’s event is expected to be the largest live entertainment broadcast.
Behind Miss World’s popularity, there has always been a vigorous charitable purpose which has so far raised more than $500 million for global charity projects through the programme, Beauty with a Purpose, set up almost 40 years ago by Julia Morley and run by Miss World participants.
Online Reporter