adminPAGEANTRY is one profession which is not taken seriously in Zimbabwe.
Female models are usually portrayed as women of loose morals.
Sex predators, who were preying on models, did not help matters either and tarnished the name of pageantry.
This has also been worsened by poor remuneration, and empty promises, made by pageant organisers.
It has become a norm for models to be short-changed and, in most cases, they fail to get their prizes on time.
This has forced the best models to pull out of major pageants.
Some concerned parents are now even barring their children from taking part in pageants as a result of poor conduct by pageant organisers.
Others have since lost hope in pageants due to the abuse suffered by models.
Sexual harassment is rife in modelling as the big shots have been taking advantage of models.
Most of these perpetrators come as sponsors with hidden motives.
However, pageants can change the girl-child’s life, if done in a professional manner.
It should be taken as a profession, which can change people’s lives.
Pageantry has also been hailed for raising the girl child’s confidence and self-esteem.
In today’s issue, we are running a story in which the Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa has urged young women not to take pageantry for granted.
Minister Mutsvangwa noted that pageantry has the potential to create massive opportunities, which can propel participants to dizzy heights.
The Minister made this call at the recently held Miss Zimbabwe Queen 2022.
She highlighted some of the benefits of pageantry if done in a professional manner. She also noted that modelling is big business across the world, which creates employment.
Minister Mutsvangwa urged the participants to use the exposure they got by implementing what they learnt during the boot camp.
She further highlighted that pageantry must help in grooming young ladies who have their nation at heart.
Added to that, modelling is one profession which should be used in promoting Brand Zimbabwe.
It should be used as a platform that promotes patriotism as well as creates employment.
This can only be achieved once modelling is done in a professional manner.
Modelling agencies should be run by professionals with a traceable history in pageantry.
Standards should be set to ensure that young ladies take part in this profession.
Failure to regulate pageants has led to the majority of models being abused by sex predators.
By proper regulation of pageants, standards will be set to ensure that we counter exploitation.
Models should also play their part to ensure that they protect their reputation.
The campaign to ensure that pageantry is taken seriously should start with the models themselves.
Models should know their value and worth, to ensure they are not abused by sex predators, especially those who masquerade as sponsors.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter