Online Reporter
Sipepisiwe Moyo, Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
THE search for Mr and Miss Rural Zimbabwe continues with a commitment to inclusivity, visiting every province in search of the King and Queen. All eyes are now on Masvingo Province where the provincial finals will take place at the Urban Lifestyle Hotel tomorrow.
The Masvingo search follows the success of the Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South Provincial finals, which saw Yolanda Nkomo crowned as the Matabeleland South province’s Miss Rural and Privilege Sibanda as the provincial Mr Rural. Whilst Mitchell Ngwenya was crowned as Matabeleland North Miss Rural and Blessing Mpofu as the provincial Mr Rural.
Founder of the pageant, Sipho Mazibuko said the auditions for the Masvingo Province are still ongoing. The Masvingo finals will cover Chiredzi, Bikita, Zaka, Gutu, Mwenezi and Chivi.
“We continue with empowering rural children through modelling and it is Masvingo’s turn now. We already have 21 Females and 10 males but auditions for the finals are still open as we all know that Masvingo province is very big.
“We have held provincial finals for Matabeleland North and South and already have the Queen and King representing both provinces,” said Mazibuko.
Guest of honour at the event will be Masvingo provincial Minister Ezra Chadzamire.
The pageant has seen rural models being empowered along the way as some are already in the poultry business through participating in the pageant.
One of the models from Masvingo, Margaret Mangowe from Mamvura Village in Bikita, Masvingo, has already been empowered as she received life-changing support; a full scholarship to study beauty therapy at Varsha’s Beauty Academy in Bulawayo.
Mazibuko further said that the pageant as much as it promotes our culture it also offers solutions to the drug and substance abuse problem, which the nation is faced with.
“I will stop at nothing in empowering rural youths as I also was a rural youth, who was empowered by others. I know it is possible as I am a living testimony, the pageant will also help curb the rate of drug and substance abuse, teenage pregnancies, child marriages and illegal gold panning, among the rural youth,” she said.
Models will showcase cultural artefacts, various dances according to their culture, their cultural wear and various designs made from the national dress fabric.
