Online Reporter
Trust Khosa, Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
NEWLY crowned Miss Rural Zimbabwe for Manicaland, Chidochashe Chiunya, is on cloud nine after receiving a handshake from the Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Monica Mutsvangwa, last weekend.
Minister Mutsvangwa was the guest of honour at the Miss and Mr Rural Zimbabwe provincial finals held in Mutare over the weekend.
Hailing from Makoni District, the 21-year-old, who outwitted 17 other contestants, told Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub that her triumph was also blessed by the Minister’s handshake, which changed her life.
“To be honest with you, the major highlight of the night was when I managed to get a handshake from Minister Mutsvangwa, which means a lot to me,” Chidochashe said.
“The gesture on its own meant a lot to me and I will always cherish it because she is someone that I used to watch on television and read about in newspapers.
“She embraced me and gave us nuggets about life that will certainly change my life.
“The Minister also taught us to be firm and resolute if we are to conquer in pageantry, which has the potential to unlock several doors in life.
“I will always cherish the good moments that I had with her because it helped me.”
Chidochashe, who is into poultry business, said her dream was to become an entrepreneur and not an employee.
“At the moment, I have been doing a number of projects in Makoni, among them poultry, to ensure that I look after myself and my upkeep.
“I want to be my own boss, and we have been taught that during boot camp. It really opened my mind. Of course, I am a rural girl in Makoni, but I have big dreams in my life.”
A Class 4 driver’s licence holder, Chidochashe said her dream was to make an impression in the countryside and change the narrative that rural people can contribute to economic development.
“I will not stop until I keep working hard, until we change the perception where rural people are associated with poverty.
“In my case, I have been changing that perception and right now I can drive myself around. All I want are financial resources to ensure that we make an impression.
“In my community, they now hold me in great esteem, and I am determined to continue working hard and empower fellow girls in these areas,” she stressed.
Following her triumph in Manicaland, Chidochashe is now eyeing the big crown at the grand finale to be held later this year.
“I will always keep my head up and continue to do well because that has always been my calling—to be a model. I will also keep in touch with my instructors and patron, who have been grooming us to become role models on and off the ramp.
“My dream is to leave an impressive pageantry,” she added.
Meanwhile, Raphael Nyanyira, 23, from Buhera District, was crowned King at the contest.
Nyanyira, who lost his father when he was only six, firmly believes pageantry will change his life.
“I just love pageantry because it has boosted my confidence, and I am determined to make it to the finals.”
Mathew Masinge