adminBongani Ndlovu Showbiz Correspondent
THE once popular Miss Summer Strides may soon bounce back as Sipho Mazibuko, the founder of the pageant is planning to re-launch the event.
The pageant which was last held in 2006, drew models from around Bulawayo and was a force to reckon with, producing two Miss Zimbabwe queens, Lorraine Maphala-Phiri and Oslie Muringai.
Mazibuko who also runs Strides Modelling Agency said she was planning to bring back the pageant as there were no other pageants that had national appeal besides Miss World Zimbabwe.
“I’ve realised a void has been created since there’s no more Miss Bulawayo or any other national pageant besides Miss World Zimbabwe. I want to fill that void by bringing back Miss Summer Strides,” Mazibuko said.
If all goes according to plan, the pageant will re-launch early next year.
“Miss Summer Strides will be back next year, anytime from April. Past winners of the pageant will assist me to get prizes for the models,” she said.
The former Miss Bulawayo beauty said since 2006, she had stopped hosting the pageant as she found it difficult to find sponsors and was battling with personal and health issues.
“I just wanted to put my house in order before getting back into the game. I’m known for holding high quality shows and I couldn’t come back with a cheap show,” said Mazibuko.
The pageant organiser said she would need about $150,000 to cover all expenses as she would cater for the models accommodation and transport costs.
“To hold Miss Summer Strides, I’ll need at least $150,000 for the models prizes, transport and accommodation costs. When I host pageants, I don’t want models to come with anything as I want to provide everything, even their panties.
“This will make them shun sugar daddies who will try to lure them with clothes and fixing their hair for the final show,” said Mazibuko.
She is now into wedding planning and was renting out her house for garden weddings, a venue she would not mind using for the Miss Summer Strides finale.
“I took time off to concentrate on my family and raising my beautiful baby girl. I now rent out my house as a wedding venue because I realised that I could make money from it.
“My dream is to hold Miss Summer Strides there when it comes back,” said Mazibuko.
Mazibuko started out as a model in 1990 and was crowned Miss Eveline High School. The following year she won the Miss Highlanders beauty pageant and became the first black Miss Teen Queen in 1992. She was also crowned Miss Bulawayo in the same year.
Online Reporter