Miss Tourism contestants in camp

Showbiz Reporter
THE 18 finalists participating in the Miss Tourism Zimbabwe (MTZ) contest are now at the Rainbow Towers in Harare for boot camp ahead of the finale next Friday.

A sashing ceremony to formally welcome the contestants was held yesterday at the MTZ offices.

The final 18 were selected from a pool of 159. Before being shortlisted, the MTZ team conducted a lifestyle and criminal audit. Some were found to have criminal records, forcing the team to drop them instantly.

From today, the chosen 18 girls will undergo grooming and etiquette lessons, media relations and being taught about the tourism industry. They will also be hard at work with rehearsals for the final night.

MTZ spokesperson, Alson Darikayi said preparations for the big day were going according to plan.

“We’re happy that the ladies are here. They’re now in camp and are already fighting hard to make it through to the next stage as the first eviction will be on Sunday,” said Darikayi.

“We’re already monitoring the girls and their behaviour. There’ll be a talent competition as well as tests on the things we’ll have taught them. Those who’ll get the lowest marks on Sunday will unfortunately be booted out. Three ladies will be evicted.”

Sadly, contestants who had hoped to gallivant during boot camp have been dealt a major blow as organisers said there is not much time to take them to the country’s top tourist destinations.

“We’d have loved to take the girls on a familiarisation tour before they take to the ramp on November 25, but unfortunately time is not our side as they were interrupted by exams.

“However, we’ll take them to Vic Falls after the pageant and South Africa as well for a photo shoot. Even those who’ll have been evicted will get to tour with others as everyone is a winner to us.”

Also, another sponsor Study in China Admission System (SICAS) has come on board with one lucky finalist set to walk away with a fully funded education scholarship to China.

SICAS is the biggest education recruitment agency for universities in China and it represents over 300 universities in the Asian country.

Darikayi said the A-Level requirement by the pageant was put in place for such sponsorships. He said the SICAS sponsorship would also include a holiday package.

“This sponsorship package will see one of the 18 finalists being awarded a full scholarship to go and study a degree programme of their choice in China for four years.

“The sponsorship package will also include a holiday package to China for one of the top three winners,” said Darikayi.

In a statement, SICAS Zimbabwe managing director, Joy Khosa, said they were excited to partner with Miss Tourism Zimbabwe as they believe their involvement will change the fortunes of one lucky girl.