Online Reporter
Tafadzwa Zimoyo in BANGKOK, Thailand
LYSHANDA Moyas was dubbed a ‘‘walking inferno of grace’’ after she brought the Miss Universe bandwagon to a standstill last night.
She stepped out in a breath-taking national costume which immediately became one of the most talked-about moments of the entire showcase.
She radiated confidence, fire and cultural pride which electrified the hall.
Her costume, boldly titled “Born of the Baobab, Forged In Flame,” is already being hailed as one of Zimbabwe’s strongest national costume presentations in years.
From the moment Lyshanda emerged from behind the curtain, the crowd erupted, phones shot into the air and social media timelines across Africa lit up like wildfire.
Beauty analysts, pageant bloggers and fans in the arena agreed that Zimbabwe had delivered a showstopper.
The costume pays homage to the majestic Baobab tree – the ancient, towering icon that has stood for centuries as a symbol of protection, wisdom and endurance. Lyshanda’s silhouette echoed the tree’s powerful stance – grounded, expansive and unshakeably regal.
Every inch of the garment seemed to carry a message. The deep black represented Zimbabwe’s majority and identity.
The bold red honoured the generational bloodline that binds the nation.
The blazing orange symbolised the fire of transformation, the flame that refines rather than destroys.
But the real jaw-dropper was the tailpiece – a magnificent structure created from sustainably sourced Baobab fibres, intricately braided and dyed in fiery earth tones. As she walked, it moved like a living flame, a tribute to heritage, land and the fierce spirit of Zimbabwean womanhood.
Lyshanda, who has already emerged as one of Africa’s breakout stars at this year’s Miss Universe competition, said she felt emotional wearing the design.
“This costume carries my ancestors, my people and my identity,” she said.
“Yesterday wasn’t just a performance. It was a declaration of who we are — strong, rooted and rising.”
In the VIP section, Miss Universe Zimbabwe national director Tendai Hunda watched proudly as Lyshanda delivered one of her boldest performances yet.
Hunda, who has been at the forefront of rebuilding Zimbabwe’s presence on the global pageant stage, couldn’t hide her excitement.
“This costume is Zimbabwe’s heartbeat,” she said. “It is the Baobab – our mother, our shelter, our memory. We wanted a story that goes beyond fashion and Lyshanda brought it to life with dignity and power.
“She carried the spirit of the nation with every step.” Hunda said the design team worked tirelessly to ensure the costume told a complete Zimbabwean story.
“The fire elements represent transformation and resilience.
“Zimbabwe has walked through flames before, yet we stand tall. That is what this costume says to the world,” she said.
Fans in Thailand have since flooded social media with praise, calling Lyshanda “a walking inferno of elegance,” “a queen rooted in power,” and “one of the night’s biggest surprises.”
