Online Reporter
Sipepisiwe Moyo, Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
BULAWAYO’S oldest township, Makokoba, has long been a cradle of talent, a cultural heartbeat that has given Zimbabwe legends in music, theatre, sport and now, the runway. Among the latest torchbearers of this proud legacy is Samkele Sukoluhle Dhlamini, a 24-year-old model and humanitarian who is one of the finalists for Miss Universe Zimbabwe 2025.
Samkele, who was crowned Miss Ebony Zimbabwe First Princess and Miss Personality in her pageant debut this year, represents more than just poise and elegance. As she takes to the ramp on Saturday, she will carry the hopes of a community and the voice of the often overlooked.
“I’m from Makokoba, a place where the streets may be dusty, but the spirit is rich. Growing up there, I saw how hunger stole more than food, it stole joy, it stole dreams,” she shared through a reel on the Miss Universe Zimbabwe platform.
Her story is not just one of beauty, but of resilience and action. A student at Bulawayo Polytechnic College, studying Purchasing and Supply Management, Samkele is also pursuing a professional procurement certificate under the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply. But beyond academics, she has chosen the path of service.
Through her “Meals on Wheels” programme, run in partnership with the St John’s Cathedral Anglican community, Samkele helps feed close to 400 vulnerable people weekly, including the elderly and homeless. Yet, she recognises that kindness alone is not enough, sustainable empowerment is key.
“We’re launching an agricultural project to teach farming skills. It’s not just about feeding people once, it’s about helping them feed themselves. Giving food is kindness, but teaching someone to grow it, that’s transformation.”
Makokoba, historically a melting pot of creativity and activism, has raised many giants, from the late Beater Mangethe, whose voice echoed across generations, to the legendary Cool Crooners and the vibrant performers of Siyaya Arts.
This iconic township, often referred to as the heartbeat of Bulawayo’s cultural soul, is also home to the Amakhosi Theatre and Stanley Square, institutions that have long nurtured Zimbabwe’s finest artistic talent.
As Samkele gears up to share the Miss Universe Zimbabwe stage on Saturday at the Harare Hippodrome, alongside finalists Onesimo Nkomo, Charmaine Emmanuel, Chiedza Mhosva, Brenda Kadewe, Rumbidzai Muzopa, Annie Grace Mutambu, Talic Magaiza and Lyshanda Moyo, she remains firmly rooted in her purpose.
“I stand not as a contestant but as a servant and daughter of the soil. I am the girl from Makokoba who dared to dream. I am Sukoluhle, SHE who reigns supreme, uMaMlangeni, Jama kaSjadu.”
Whether she walks away with the crown or not, Samkele’s journey from Makokoba to the national stage is already a victory — for herself, for the girls who walk those same streets, and for a city that continues to birth greatness.—
Follow on X: @SipepisiweMoyo
