adminThupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
Vivacious Zimbabwean born model Vanessa Mbedzi (22), pictured left, has been selected to represent Zimbabwe at the Miss Africa USA finals, which will be held in Silver Spring, Maryland on 29 June. The Miss Africa USA brings togetheryoung African women to represent their countries, share their culture and celebrate the power of the African woman. Miss Universe 2011 Leila Lopes is also expected to grace the occasion among other notable guests.
Mbedzi, the reigning Miss Zimbabwe USA 2012, is a Business student at Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland, in the United States.
She is expected to take to the ramp along 23 other contestants from across Africa based in the States who are vying for the same crown.
The beauty queen who hails from the border town of Beitbridge, outclassed seven others bevies in last year’s contest.
In a telephone interview from her base yesterday, Mbedzi said, “I will raise the Zimbabwean flag higher and I am proud to be representing this beautiful nation at such a forum.
“Every aspect of preparation is important and how I will present myself on stage also matters.
“There is little pressure when you are representing your country at such a big pageant, but I will do the best I can and bring the crown home.
“I am also preparing by making myself knowledgeable about sexual violence, aswell as teenage pregnancy. I will be working in connection with Black Girls Ignite Africa. I am an ambassador for the organisation.”
Black Girls Ignite Africa is an organisation that focuses on empowering encouraging and celebrating thedevelopment of young and old women all around Africa.
She added that she was inspired to take up modelling by her parents, the late Dambanyika Mbedzi and Mavis Mbedzi, who is into business.
Vanessa is the first born in a family of four, comprising three girls and a boy.
The beauty said naturally she had a positive attitude, high self-esteem and confidence to perform in front of big crowds.
“I believe that is a vital element in order to impress the judges,” said Vanessa.
She also called on other models throughout the country especially those in Beitbridge to go out and chase their dreams.
She added that Beitbridge was a very small town which had very few modeling opportunities, but that should not deter some girls to follow their dreams.
“I would want to encourage these young ladies not only when I get crowned, but now, that they should make use of their talent.
“The people who get on this world are people who get up and look for the opportunities and if they cannot find them, create them,” she said.
Online Reporter