Online Reporter
Matthew Masinge
ON Thursday evening, as we put together the final touches of our Friday edition of H-Metro, we decided we would lead with an article on Miss Universe Zimbabwe 2025.
As the country’s leading lifestyle tabloid, we feel we have a national duty to provide leadership when it comes to the coverage of events like Miss Universe Zimbabwe.
We had to find the best photograph which, in our opinion, represented the Miss Universe Zimbabwe 2025.
We had to find the beauty queen which, in our opinion, was the ultimate representative of the beauty pageant which was held in Harare on Saturday night.
It was not easy, given that all the nine finalists deserved a chance to grace our cover page.
But, we had to do it.
We chose Lyshanda Moyas from Gweru as our cover girl, as the beauty queen who was the best representative of the Miss Universe Zimbabwe 2025 pageant.
Our headline was “Beauty & The Best!”
Somehow, it appeared as if we had a sneaky peek that she would be crowned queen.
Because Lyshanda, 26, a nurse from Gweru who is now working for a financial services firm, was named winner of the Miss Universe Zimbabwe 2025 beauty pageant.
She will represent Zimbabwe at the Miss Universe finals in Thailand in November.
Lyshanda beat eight other contestants at a grand finale held at the Harare Hippodrome.
She walked away with a brand new Mercedes Benz C200.
Onesimo Nkomo, who represented Nkayi, was the first runner-up while Rumbidzai Muzopa of Honde Valley in Manicaland was second runner-up.
In an interview with Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub, Lyshanda said she has big dreams for herself in the industry.
“I am excited and a little overwhelmed about the journey I am about to embark on as I represent Zimbabwe on the international scene.
“I have won previous titles but the Miss Universe Zimbabwe title is huge.”
Lyshanda also spoke about her deep family connection that has contributed to her success.
“I am the first to have ever entered a pageant and won. This is huge for me and the family, I want to say congratulations to the first and second runners-up and urge those who failed to win never to give up on their dreams.”
Sakhile Dube was the outgoing queen.
Miss Universe Zimbabwe board chairperson and chief judge, Colonel Miniyothabo Baloyi-Chiwenga, said:
“As Miss Universe Zimbabwe, we are proud to have a beautiful girl who understands what being Zimbabwean means to us, a girl who is going to represent us outside the country as a brand ambassador for Zimbabwe.
“Thank you for your continued support, this means a lot to us as the Miss Universe Zimbabwe board,” said Colonel Baloyi-Chiwenga.
Some of the guests who attended the grand finale included former First Lady Grace Mugabe, Miss Universe Zimbabwe board vice-chairperson Zodwa Mkandla, director Tendai Hunda and Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume.
