Online Reporter
Maria Chiguvari
Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
MISS Teen Zimbabwe, Lola Nice, 16, leaves the country tomorrow for India for the Miss Teen World pageant.
Lola said she feels honoured to carry the national flag on a global stage.
Apart from modelling and pageantry, she is also involved in archery and has represented Zimbabwe in the sport.
“Carrying the Zimbabwean flag on an international stage is an incredible honour and a responsibility that I do not take lightly.
“To me, it means representing not just myself but my family, my community, and the beautiful young people of Zimbabwe.
“I want the world to see the warmth, resilience, humility and strength that Zimbabweans are known for.”
She added:
“I would also love to showcase our rich cultural heritage, our traditional music, dance, fashion, food, languages, and the values of Ubuntu that teach us the importance of community and treating others with kindness and respect.
“I want people to see Zimbabwe not only as a beautiful country but as a country filled with talented, ambitious, and resilient young people who have dreams and the determination to achieve them,” she said.
She said managing archery training, school, modelling and pageant preparations has required good time management and commitment.
Preparing for the pageant has included fitness sessions, maintaining a healthy routine, and working on confidence, public speaking and staying calm under pressure.
“My journey has been a very exciting one because I have been balancing different passions and responsibilities.
“Alongside my pageant preparations, I have also been involved in archery, representing Zimbabwe.
“One of the highlights for me was winning a gold medal with my team.
“That experience taught me so much about discipline, teamwork, focus, and perseverance.
“It also reminded me what it means to wear the Zimbabwean colours and compete with the goal of making my country proud.”
She added:
“Physically, I have been preparing through fitness sessions, maintaining a healthy routine, and taking care of my overall wellbeing.
“Mentally, I have been working on my confidence, public speaking, staying calm under pressure, and reminding myself that I am not going to India simply as a contestant I am going as a representative of my beautiful Zimbabwe.
“My experiences in both sport and pageantry have taught me that success requires consistency.
“Whether I am holding a bow on the archery field or preparing to walk onto the international pageant stage, I have learned to trust my training, believe in myself, and give my very best.”
Lola said one cause close to her heart is education for underprivileged children.
