Online Reporter
Tafadzwa Zimoyo
Zimpapers Arts, Entertainment Hub
SOUTH AFRICAN television personality Connie Ferguson has been confirmed as guest of honour and judge for this year’s edition of Miss Universe Zimbabwe 2025.
Her involvement promises to elevate the event, which features an impressive panel of six judges, each renowned in their respective fields.
This year’s competition, to be held this weekend at Harare’s Hippodrome, seeks to highlight not only beauty but also the diverse talents and backgrounds of its contestants, setting the stage for a memorable celebration of empowerment and elegance.
The judges’ line-up features Roseanna Hall, Miss Zimbabwe-Diaspora 2017; George Nheweyembwa, a prominent Pan African executive banker; Brooke Bruk Jackson, Miss Universe Zimbabwe 2023; Paloma Mlunjwana, an award-winning luxury travel content creator and blogger; Tsungai Makwanya, a former supermodel; and Zak Hawa, a respected figure in the arts community.
Pageant national director Tendai Hunda shared insights into the reasons behind the delayed announcement of the judges.
“We wanted to align with the norms in the modelling industry,” she said.
“Our line-up features reputable personalities who are well-respected in their fields. We are confident they will help identify strong contenders for the Miss Universe finals.” Hunda revealed that all judges are expected to arrive in the country tomorrow, just ahead of the pre-show pre-judging.
“Some of the judges have already started arriving, while the rest will be here tomorrow for the pre-judging,” she noted.
“This year, the event will include a pre-show on Friday night, where the judges will deliberate and select their top three contestants, who will be announced during the coronation ceremony on Saturday.”
Hunda expressed her enthusiasm about the finalists’ preparation, highlighting the rigorous training they underwent in the bootcamp.
“All the girls are beautiful; I am sure the judges will have a challenging time making their decisions,” she said. The pageant is set to run for two hours, and Hunda is optimistic about the rehearsals.
“What I saw during the rehearsals was promising. We are looking forward to a spectacular show.” In addition to the judges, popular radio and television personalities Arthur Evans and Becky K will facilitate the program.
“Both are not new to the stage, and they bring their A-game to the show. Their dress rehearsals are looking amazing,” Hunda added. To elevate the entertainment experience, seasoned musicians Enzo Ishall and Tammy Moyo will grace the stage, providing a vibrant backdrop to the event. This year’s competition features an impressive roster of nine finalists, each vying for the coveted title.
The finalists are Onesimo Nkomo, Samkhele Dhlamini, Charmaine Emmanuel, Chiedza Mhosva, Brenda Kadewe, Rumbidzai Muzopa, Annie Grace Mutambu, Talic Magaiza and Lyshanda Moyo.
Hunda highlighted on the diversity of this year’s top nine, which reflects a broad range of backgrounds and professions.
“The finalists include a town planner, healthcare professionals, businesswomen, fashion models, entrepreneurs and even a purchasing management student.”
This year’s line-up is particularly noteworthy for its inclusivity, featuring married contestants and returning models, marking a significant departure from traditional norms in beauty pageants.
Among the returning contestants are former beauty queens like Chiedza Mhosva, Miss World Zimbabwe 2017 and Annie Grace Mutambu, Miss Zimbabwe 2015.
The presence of married women, such as Mhosva from Harare and Onesimo Nkomo, a mother based in Bulawayo, highlights the evolving landscape of beauty standards in Zimbabwe.
Lyshanda Moyo is also noted to be engaged, adding another layer of interest to the competition. This edition of Miss Universe Zimbabwe has opened doors for a more diverse representation in the beauty industry, embracing married models and mothers for the first time.
Hunda believes this shift in focus will resonate with audiences and inspire future contestants. As anticipation builds for the event, all eyes will be on the finalists as they prepare to showcase their talents and grace on the grand stage.
