adminMaphala said the recent media reports on Miss Zim Trust’s ill preparedness were a cause for concern. She said because of the negative publicity, it was going to be difficult for the pageant to attract quality models in future.
In an interview with Saturday Leisure Maphala said she was saddened and felt sorry for the Miss Zimbabwe 2012 beauty contestants as they had endured a lot instead of enjoying their time at boot camp.
“I feel sad and sorry for the girls as this is supposed to be a wonderful experience for them.
“ZTA did a very good job to uplift the Miss Zimbabwe pageant to international standards but I want to believe they have their own reasons for pulling out,” said Maphala, a mother of one.
The Miss Zimbabwe Trust hit headlines during the past few weeks over its ill-preparedness and financial crisis that saw it appealing to the corporate sector for assistance.
The ill-preparedness was brought to the limelight after models who had been camped for a photo shoot were booted out of Harare’s Palm Lodge after the organisers failed to pay the hotel bills.
As if that was not enough, the same models were in yet another predicament during the aborted initial boot camp which had been set for 3 February after they were left in the cold as the Trust failed to secure accommodation for them, leaving the girls who had travelled from around the country in a quandary.
The vivacious Bulawayo beauty appealed to the corporate sector to chip in in order to maintain the quality of the pageant.
“The Miss Zim beauty pageant is an event that has to have dignity. It’s not a club show and it is important for it to be well funded. It is not all about being Miss Zimbabwe but about an ambassador of the country who will represent us far and wide,” she said.
Speaking on the quality of models, who have been described as the worst in the history of the pageant, the beauty added that it was important for the pageant to remain a contest of high standards to attract the best models.
“The quality of the contest determines the type of models who are going to take part.
“It is the package that they offer in terms of prizes which determines the quality of models. It starts with how the event is organised. The corporate sector can only be attracted by a well organised event and they in turn offer attractive prizes that lure high quality models,” she said.
Going down memory lane, Maphala said her participation at the Miss Zim pageant remained a memorable event in her life.
“Boot camp is among some of my greatest experiences in my life. It was the year that Miss Zim Trust and ZTA joined hands.
“We went to several tourist attractions, we held several workshops and we were taught several things that include grooming, image and even the way one is supposed to speak.”
Maphala gave an example of the reigning Miss Zimbabwe 2010 Malaika Mushandu as a well mentored and groomed model.
“If you look at Malaika, she is well groomed, speaks well and has confidence that is why she was able to make it even in international pageants,” she said.
The Miss Zimbabwe 2012 has been dogged by several problems forcing the postponement of the pageant from 25 February to 23 March to allow the organisers time to mobilise the required resources.
This year’s finalists are housed at a Marondera Lodge for their boot camp.
However, last week media reports emerged that the girls were starving in camp, a rumour which was played down by the Trust’s spokesperson Gerald Mushonga.
“There is nothing like that. It is people who are just speculating, but they can come in with donations if they feel like,” he said.
Mushonga said preparations were on course and a number of sponsors were coming on board.
“We have received several sponsors who are willing to assist especially on the beaming of the pageant on TV,” she said.
Online Reporter