Online Reporter
Tafadzwa Zimoyo
Zimpapers Entertainment Editor
ZIMBABWE’S beauty queen, Lyshanda Moyas, is scheduled to leave the country this afternoon for Thailand for the prestigious Miss Universe 2025 pageant.
All eyes are on the 24-year-old beauty, who has already emerged as one of Africa’s strongest contenders, according to international pageant polls and social-media trackers.
Her charm, eloquence and humility have made her a fan favourite worldwide, with hashtags like #TeamZimbabwe and #LyshandaForTheCrown already trending.
Before boarding her flight at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, Lyshanda radiated calm confidence, saying she was fully ready for the global stage.
“I have worked diligently and invested countless hours into preparing for this moment,” she said.
“The weeks ahead in Thailand will sharpen my skills and give me a chance to learn from amazing women from around the world.
“I’m ready to grow, learn, and represent Zimbabwe with excellence.”
Her preparations have been meticulous.
Behind her polished catwalk and warm stage presence lies a team of experts who helped fine-tune every detail of her performance.
Her runway walk was perfected by Royce Gavi, a 23-year-old designer and model coach renowned for his creative precision.
“Royce taught me how to command the stage with elegance,” Lyshanda said.
Her speech and public-speaking skills were coached by Mr Gombera, a banker and life coach who, she said, “helped me express my ideas with authenticity, clarity, and confidence.”
Together, they have crafted a queen who balances glamour with grounded intelligence.
Fashion will also play a key role in Lyshanda’s Miss Universe campaign.
She will showcase designs by two of Zimbabwe’s celebrated creatives Zargue’sia, who designed her evening gown, and Ivhu Tribe, who produced her bold national costume.
Both ensembles, she revealed, are deeply symbolic.
“The designs tell a story of Zimbabwean identity, pride and artistry,” she said.
“The craftsmanship is incredible. I can assure everyone Zimbabwe will shine beautifully on the world stage.”
The Miss Universe competition, one of the world’s oldest and most glamorous pageants, brings together more than 90 women from across the globe.
The 2025 edition, set in Bangkok, will run for three weeks of intense training, interviews and cultural activities before the grand coronation night next month.
Lyshanda follows in the footsteps of Sakhile Dube, who represented Zimbabwe last year when the nation returned to the Miss Universe platform, after a long hiatus.
This year, the torch passes to Lyshanda, and expectations are sky-high.
Reflecting on her reign, the queen said it has been a period of deep personal growth. “It’s been a journey of challenges, triumphs, and self-discovery,” she said.
“I’ve learnt that growth often comes from discomfort. Every challenge has strengthened my character and reminded me of my purpose.”
Beyond the glitz and camera flashes, Lyshanda is driven by a strong social mission that has defined her year as queen.
Her project champions sustainable development through innovation, infrastructure, and wellness, with a special focus on empowering teenage mothers in marginalised communities.
“What started as a simple borehole-drilling initiative became a wider empowerment programme after I learned that between 2019 and 2022 Zimbabwe recorded nearly 1.8 million pregnancies — about 350 000 involving teenage girls,” she said.
“That reality touched me deeply.”
Her initiative has since raised more than US$60 000, helping over 300 teen mothers gain vocational skills in soap-making, sewing and entrepreneurship.
“These women are transforming their pain into purpose,” she said.
“When we invest in a mother, we invest in generations.”
Lyshanda has a message to the nation.
“Believe in the beauty of your dreams. I’m carrying your hopes and prayers with me, and I promise to represent Zimbabwe with grace, courage, and authenticity. Let’s continue to tell our story, a story of resilience, unity, and pride.”
