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Miss Teen World is an annual international beauty pageant held in the United States. In 2015 the title of the pageant was officially changed to Miss Teen Continents Pageants. Contestants of the pageant include teen girls, with one contestant from each country. The winner is a representative for teen girls around the world.The Teen World Competition strives to provide each young lady with an experience she will never forget. Personal growth, friendships and scholarships help define their program from other similar “teen” programmes. The Teen World competition is a fair pageant for teens.
Zimbabwe has sent representatives to the pageant and this year 16-year-old Tanaka Munenyiwa went to represent the country.
Beauty, brains and personality is the best way to describe Tanaka who is the reigning Miss Teen Zimbabwe queen.
Middle children are almost always in the shadows but this third born in a family of four has stood out and is fast becoming her own person.
If you don’t know her as Miss Teen, you might recognise her from the popular ZBC TV Show YGT as one of the presenters.
We recently sat down with Tanaka to find out more about her and her experiences at the Miss Teen World which was held in Las Vegas, USA in June 2016.
Q: When did you start modelling?
A: I started modelling when I was 12 years old and won my first pageant as Miss Zimre Park when I was 13 years old
Q: You are a student, model and television presenter, how do you juggle everything?
A: When I am doing school things it is full time. I believe it is important to be educated so I do not let anything distract me from my school. My TV job is weekends and modelling is during the holidays so by sticking to that I find myself managing to have order.
Q: How is being Miss Teen Zimbabwe and has it changed your life?
A: Being Miss Teen Zim is a little girl’s dream being fulfilled. It is both an honour and an achievement for me. My life has definitely changed. It is quite overwhelming because my faith has increased. I believe I can be anything I want to be and achieve anything I set myself for.
Q: How was it representing Zimbabwe at Miss Teen World?
A: It was exceptional. I’m at a loss for words, definitely a dream come true. I enjoyed showcasing my talent on a world stage.
Q: Did you make any friends?
A: I made quite a lot of friends and we still keep in touch. It was quite an experience to mix and mingle with beauty queens from all over the world.
Q: You were not just a beauty queen in Las Vegas but also a tourist. What was that like?
A: Las Vegas is visited by 95 million people annually and I was one of them in 2016. It was a lifetime opportunity which I owe thanks to City Angels Travel and Tours.
Everything was organised by them on my behalf. I had an activity filled trip which was worthwhile.
I really enjoyed going to the Trump Towers, going to Las Vegas World Resort where I went up the Eiffel Tower and the statue of liberty.
I met different characters like Mickey Mouse, The Minions, Thor, Superman, Iron Man and so many more that I have only watched on TV.
Q: Did you go anywhere else in America?
A : I went to Atlanta, Georgia. I visited the Coca-Cola Museum and CNN. I loved CNN because it gave me a glimpse of what my future would be like.
Q: How far would you like to take your modelling career?
A: I want to take it far. In fact, it is something that will live on forever. I want my modeling to pollinate to other girls until they flourish.
I want my name to be the reason why other girls will make it in the industry.
Q: When you are not on TV working, what do you watch?
A: My relationship with Jesus Christ is what drives me to watch what I watch.
I love watching Joel Osteen, Angus Buchan and people with similar messages. I find purpose in my life through such programmes.
Q: What are your plans as Miss Teen?
A: I would like to make other little girls feel like queens. It doesn’t have to be on the runway. My plan is to throw a party for the children in a paediatric ward under the theme “Queen for a Day”.
Q: What are your goals after school?
A: I am doing my Ordinary Level at Hillbright Science College which is great because I want to be a surgeon. I would like to be a part time anchor at CNN.
There is so much I want to be doing as well. These things are unsung for now, but it is only a matter of time until my works claim their place under the sun.
Online Reporter