Online Reporter
Gift Moyo, [email protected]
Mrs Universe Zimbabwe National Director Sibonelo Khupe has called for greater transparency and fairness in the local pageantry industry, saying clear rules and communication are essential in preventing disputes between organisers and contestants.
Khupe, who is also the reigning Mrs Universe Africa, was speaking amid renewed debate over how local pageantry organisations select, manage and dethrone titleholders.
The debate intensified following the announcement by the Miss Cosmo Zimbabwe organisation on August 22 that former Miss Cosmo Zimbabwe 2026 Malaika Mushandu had been dethroned.
The announcement sparked discussion among pageantry enthusiasts, with questions being raised over whether contestants and the public were being given sufficient information when major decisions were made.
Khupe said transparency should be a key principle for every professional pageantry organisation.
“Transparency is important in every professional pageantry organisation. Clearly communicating the assessment criteria, expectations and responsibilities helps contestants and titleholders understand the process and what is required of them.
“It also supports consistency and professionalism throughout the competition and the titleholder’s reign,” she said.
Drawing from her experience in the industry, Khupe said pageantry organisations operate under different policies, which should guide the selection of judges, management of contestants and resolution of disputes.
She said judges should be selected through a fair and professional process, with potential conflicts of interest declared and managed.
“Each pageantry organisation has its own policies for selecting and managing judges. Good practice includes appointing individuals with relevant experience, using a balanced judging panel and asking judges to disclose any relationship that could reasonably be regarded as a conflict of interest.
“Where a possible conflict is identified, the organisation should manage it according to its internal procedures. Sponsors play an important role in supporting pageants, but judging should remain a separate and independent process,” said Khupe.
She also stressed the importance of contestants knowing what they are being judged on, saying assessment criteria may differ from one pageant to another but should be applied consistently.
“Contestants should be informed about the competition categories and the general qualities that will be assessed. These may include communication, confidence, presentation, leadership, purpose and alignment with the values of the pageant,” she said.
On dethronements, Khupe said organisations should provide appropriate official statements explaining changes to a queen’s status while respecting confidentiality and privacy.
“The communication should be respectful, factual and mindful of the dignity and privacy of everyone involved,” she said.
Meanwhile, Khupe dismissed concerns that former queens who remain involved in pageantry undermine reigning titleholders.
“It is not unusual for former queens to remain involved in pageantry. They may serve as mentors, ambassadors, judges, organisers or advocates because of the experience they gained during their reign,” she said.
Khupe said such roles should be clearly defined and should complement the work of the reigning queen.
She remains active in Zimbabwean pageantry and on August 15 launched the inaugural Mrs Universe Zimbabwe pageant in Bulawayo, where Atipa Busuman was crowned Mrs Universe Zimbabwe 2026.
