adminPeter Matika, Senior Life Reporter
THE recently-held Miss Gweru Universities pageant is turning out to be a folly, as contestants of the pageant held in the City of Progress at Midlands State University are accusing organisers of the pageant of ill-treatment and taking them for a ride.
Organisers of the show — Munetsi Promotions, which could not be traced for comment are alleged to have promised the winner of the pageant $300 cash, among other prizes.
The show was held at Midlands State University on 12 May and organisers of the event are alleged to have vanished soon after the show to date. In an interview, one of the participants said she was deeply concerned about the ill-treatment and abuse they faced.
“ . . . I wouldn’t say I’m proud of the position (I got), because we really didn’t finish all the categories. They were quick to judge on two categories, after that they wanted to tell us that one of the models was wrong, after all ndivo vakanga vamuudza the results. It was wrong from the start, they prioritised the artistes over us, it wasn’t our show at all, they made it yana Soul Jah Love and Freeman, I’m really disappointed with the organisers and also in Freeman, he was very inconsiderate, asking audience if they wanted models or him, refusing to give us little space to just finish our show,” said one model, adding that the organisers should be brought to book.
Another model who requested anonymity said they had to endure hours of cold weather before they could get on stage.
“It was very cold, we got sick, waiting for artistes to perform. They made us look like we don’t value ourselves, making us get on stage at 4am when the show started at 6pm the previous night. They lied about the grand prize, to lure us into their trap, using us to gain money, after the show they gave us nothing, or ensure that we get home safe that very morning. We had a parade around the city advertising their show, and we prepared for this using our own money for hairstyles, outfits and they tell us that they paid someone to do our nails,” fumed the model.
She went on to say that they were only given a single meal from the time the show began until it ended the following day.
“ . . . we were used, enough is enough, after the parade, they gave us burgers to carry us through the night, who does that?” she said.
One of the models said when they tried to reach out to the organisers in the morning at their hotel room they were informed that they had already checked out and left.
“They ran away with the prizes, if ever there were any. We were then told to liaise with one Rody, who said we should meet but also disappeared and all their phones are no longer reachable,” said the disgruntled model.
The models also raised concern about the industry saying they didn’t trust it anymore, as models have on many occasions been reported to have been one way or the other exploited.
@peterkmatika
Bongani Ndlovu