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Mthabisi Tshuma, Showbiz Correspondent
MISS Rural Zimbabwe is back after a 14-year hiatus and Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu says the beauty pageant will promote domestic tourism.
Miss Rural Zimbabwe was founded in 2003 by Mrs Sipho Mazibuko, a veteran model instructor and the pageant was last held in 2007 and the queen was Nembudziya (Gokwe North) model Nyasha Phiri.
The official launch of the search for contestants was held during a colourful culturally themed ceremony at Lavinia Gardens on Saturday with young and upcoming model Mntwanenkosi Dube being unveiled as the Face of Miss Rural Zimbabwe. A new addition this year will be Mr Rural Zimbabwe.
Miss Rural Zimbabwe is pencilled for November.
The official launch was graced by Minister Ndlovu’s representative, Bulawayo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Judith Ncube’s representative, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) regional manager Mrs Novuyo Mathonsi and players from the creative sector.
Entertainment was provided by Bolamba Performing Arts and Khaya Arts.
The pageant will be decentralised with provincial licence holders set to scout for models in their respective areas.
The licence holders are Khaya Kanye (Bulawayo), Faith Moyo (Matabeleland South), Dudu Phakathi (Matabeleland North), Wilbert Rukato (Mashonaland West), Gaudencia Belanger (Manicaland), Mavis Koslek (Midlands), Connie Moyo (Harare) and the reigning Queen, Nyasha Phiri is the licence holder for Masvingo.
Yesterday various stakeholders from different Government ministries, departments and the ruling party Zanu-PF met to plan the holding of the pageant.
In a speech read on his behalf by his personal assistant, Brighton Ndebele, Minister Ndlovu said the pageant will enhance economic development.
“Miss Rural, the brainchild of Mrs Sipho Mazibuko, does not only come back after a long sabbatical of 14 years, but does so with a new and welcome introduction of Mr Rural. Let me hasten to say that this is a most welcome development as pageantry has a big role to play in any society.
“Events of this nature have the potential to contribute immensely to economic development and social cohesion. In this regard my Ministry, through the National Convention Bureau of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority promotes the development of what we call MICE Tourism. MICE refers to Meetings, Incentive Travel, Conferences/Conventions,
Exhibitions and Events,” said Minister Ndlovu.
He said it is high time that the economic value of the pageant industry is unleashed as opposed to simply viewing it as a charity or social cause.
“An event like Miss Rural brings about business opportunities that need to be harnessed for the different economic and social spin offs. I am reliably informed that when Miss Rural was held in Kariba 14 years ago, the event attracted a lot of people from all parts of the country such that all the hotels in the resort were fully booked.
“The fashion and retail industries were kept busy while performing artistes, service providers in the sound and light industry, media, tour and houseboat operators, presenters, choreographers all had something to do. The local fish industry and even informal fish traders experienced huge sales,” said Minister Ndlovu.
He said the timing of the return of Miss Rural could not have come at a better time than now when the country and indeed the whole world is celebrating tourism month on September 27 which is being commemorated under the theme “Tourism for Inclusive Growth”.
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Judith Ncube said the pageant will uplift the lives of the rural youth, a move that supports Government’s inclusivity mantra.
“This pageant aims to uplift the lives of the youths so that like their urban peers they actively participate in development programmes.
“Thank you Cde Sipho Mazibuko for this initiative which seeks to expose, showcase and empower the hidden rural talent,” said Minister Ncube in a speech read on her behalf by Imbizo District Development Coordinator Mrs Tsvagai Fikile Marovatsanga.
Miss and Mr Rural Zimbabwe founder Mazibuko said they have partnered Government as a way of consolidating their efforts of ensuring participation of people in activities across all sectors as per the Second Republic’s strategy.
“We have partnered Government so we will be working with relevant line ministries like Youth, Sports, Arts and Recreation, Women Affairs, Community, Small to Medium Enterprise Development, Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement among others.
“The commencement and start of the new journey towards Miss and Mr Rural national finals has started as our licence holders from all the country’s 10 provinces will go to every corner of rural Zimbabwe searching for that precious diamond, the new queen,” said Mazibuko. — @mthabisi_mthire
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