IS THIS JEMIMA’S MOMENT?

Gift Moyo

WHEN a six-year-old Jemima Mandemwa watched the Miss World Zimbabwe pageant on television in 2006, she was captivated by the grace, confidence and elegance of the contestants.

What seemed like a childhood fascination would later become a lifelong pursuit, shaping her into one of Zimbabwe’s most accomplished beauty queens.

Five years ago, she represented Zimbabwe at Miss Environment International in India, where she finished as the fourth runner-up.

Two years later, she continued her impressive international pageantry journey by securing the first runner-up position at Miss Planet International in Cambodia.

Now 26, Jemima is among the finalists competing for the Miss Universe Zimbabwe crown, with the grand finale set for Saturday in Harare. This year’s competition marks a historic first for the pageant, as organisers will crown representatives for the Miss Universe, Miss World, Miss Cosmo, Miss Supranational and Miss International.

For Jemima, the journey to this stage has been built over years of perseverance, growth and international representation.

At just 19, she won the Miss Super Globe title and has since finished as first runner-up at Miss Planet International in Cambodia in 2023.

Away from the runway, Jemima balances multiple roles.

She is a mother to a young son and runs a local medical supplies business, proving that beauty queens can successfully combine entrepreneurship, motherhood and public service.

Reflecting on where it all began, she recalls the impact that pageantry had on her at a young age.

“I recall watching Miss World Zimbabwe 2006 on national TV with so much excitement and admiration. I loved the way the contestants carried themselves with so much grace.

“That was a defining moment for me and it has carried me through every experience I’ve had in the pageantry industry,” she said.

Her path, however, was not without challenges.

Jemima said she initially faced limited support because of negative perceptions often associated with beauty pageants.

“Initially when I started, I didn’t have much support because of how the world has perceived beauty pageants to be.

“In all of that, I’m grateful that my mother still supported me and believed in my dreams,” she said.

Her mother remains her biggest supporter to this day.

“My mother has been my greatest supporter from the time I contested in Little Miss Sunshine 2006 to this very moment in my Miss Universe Zimbabwe journey.

“I’m forever grateful for her support,” she said.

Years of competing on local and international stages have also shaped how she views beauty and self-worth.

“I made the realisation that beauty is subjective, not objective in my mid-20s. Beauty comes in different forms, cultures and personalities.

“It is not about fitting into a certain mould, but rather appreciating the uniqueness each person holds.

“True beauty is about authenticity, confidence and self-awareness,” said Jemima.

The model believes her greatest strength lies in knowing who she is, a quality she says has helped her withstand criticism, comparison and public scrutiny.

“This version of myself is strongly rooted in my identity. I’ve built this version of myself over the years with so much intentionality and grace. I lean more towards my strengths than I do my weaknesses and that has enabled me to be unshakeable in the midst of criticism and comparison,” she said.

She added that protecting her mental well-being has become a priority as she continues to navigate life in the public eye.

While many young women feel pressured to conform to societal expectations, Jemima said Zimbabwe has instead provided opportunities for her to pursue her ambitions.

“Being a young woman in Zimbabwe has actually enabled me to spread my wings and reach for anything I set my mind to.

“I refuse to fit a certain mould of standards that define beauty or how women should be. It’s my job to ensure that young girls appreciate their uniqueness,” she said.

Her advocacy work extends beyond pageantry.

For the past three years, Jemima has worked with young people and rural communities, focusing on environmental awareness and sustainability initiatives.

“I’ve been working with young boys and girls in helping them realise their potential and also be environmentally aware.

“Additionally, I’ve worked with rural communities on environmental sustainability.

“I’ve done all this without a title to my name, just as Jemima, and I’ll gladly continue impacting lives for the rest of my life,” she said.

Although she acknowledges that pageantry can sometimes create pressure to conform to certain beauty standards, Jemima says she has learnt the value of embracing her authentic self.

“Sadly, I’ve had times where I felt the need to fit in, moments where I felt my hair wasn’t curly enough or long enough.

“But in all of that, I’ve learnt that nothing is as powerful as embracing yourself, from the way you look to the way you talk,” she said.

To her, pageantry is about much more than crowns and glamour.

“I wish people could see how uplifting it is to step into platforms that actively empower women and create opportunities.

“It’s more than just beauty, it’s about creating the next generation of women who take up space in leadership, innovation and global development.

“Being in a space where I can be easily seen and judged has made me dive deeper into who I am.

“Not the confidence or poise but self-awareness. It has reflected how I’m evolving as a woman, the real version of myself away from the glitz and attention,” she said.

As she prepares for the national finals, Jemima remains focused on the impact she hopes to leave behind.

“I wish to have reached triple the number of people’s lives I would originally have impacted,” she said.