adminMelissa Mpofu Showbiz Editor
THREE international beauty queens, reigning Miss Tourism Queen International and Miss Philippines Angeli Dione Gomez, Miss Tourism Malaysia Tharaah Ganesan and Miss Tourism Swaziland Lebo Maseko are expected to grace this year’s Harare International Carnival which runs from May 16 to 25.
The queens are expected in the country on May 15 for the Carnival Queen Zimbabwe contest which takes place at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC) the following day.
Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) spokesperson, Sugar Chagonda, said they decided to invite the international queens and this would be Gomez and Ganesan’s first time in Africa.
“This will be the models’ first time in Africa and Zimbabwe and they will use their visit to share their experiences with the Carnival Queen contestants to inspire them. They will also explore what the country has to offer,” he said.
Meanwhile, a total of 20 contestants are already in camp and are expected to be hosted tonight at a local restaurant in Harare by the pageant’s patron Barbara Mzembi – wife to Tourism Minister Walter Mzembi.
Two contestants, White Dionne from the Midlands region and Tricia Dirwai from Manicaland chickened out at the last hour and will no longer be contesting. Bulawayo’s Jessica Joubert also exempted herself from the pageant last month.
The girls now vying for the beauty and talent competition are Dhlamini Bathabile (Bulawayo), Murashiki Marizane (Bulawayo), Ncube Sibonginkosi (Bulawayo), Ncube Fungai (Matabeleland South), Mbedzi Vanessa (Matabeleland South), Makumene Blessing (Masvingo), Masimba Heather (Masvingo), Chaendera Chenai (Masvingo), Dekeza Chipo (Midlands), Kainga Maita (Midlands), Hove Sibonginkosi (Manicaland), Mapfurire Phalen (Manicaland), Chigama Praise (Harare), Sibanda Alvina (Harare), Nyenya Marleen (Harare), Nyamutsamba Yvonne (Harare), Ranga Samantha (Harare), Bero Sibongile (Harare) and Kujeke Gamuchirai (Harare).
During their weeklong camp, the models will be groomed for ambassadorial qualities and tour national museums and monuments and the Eastern highlands over the weekend to have an appreciation of the tourist resort. The beauty pageant is being run under the theme “Celebrating the Beauty of our diversity” which is in support of the 2014 Harare Carnival theme ‘Celebrating our Diversity’.
Entertainment at the pageant will be provided by Exodus Steelband from Trinidad and Tobago, diva Cindy Munyavi, Peekay and local dancehall artists. Advance tickets have been pegged at $5 and $10 for the VIP.
The girl who will be crowned Carnival Queen Zimbabwe will drive away with $20,000, 1st princess $10,000 while the 2nd princess will walk away with $5,000.
Their roles will simply be to officially lead the Carnival and act as ambassadors for the country.
ZTA are putting final touches to their 10-day carnival which is expected to attract international participation from over 20 countries. The advance parties from the various countries are expected to start trickling in this weekend.
A lot of activities have been lined up for the 10 days including a Carnival sungura night, Carnival Jazz night, Exotic night, Carnival fashion show, Carnival gospel competition, Blast from the past music show, Carnival Bira, Africa Day discussion, Carnival Samba night, Ethiopian night, Carnival street party/parade, Zimdancehall concert and a Carnival music concert.
Online Reporter