dyton mupawaenda
Arts Reporter
Organisers for the second edition of Miss Universe Zimbabwe pageant have opened online registrations which will close in April.
Aspiring and qualified models are expected to register ahead of the auditions which will begin on March 30 in Mutare and Masvingo, respectively with other cities to follow.
The national pageant director Tendai Hunda says they have started the registration to give time to host the pageant earlier before the global stage as this also gives opportunity to the crowned national queen time to prepare.
“The auditions are to be held from March 30 until April 13. We have opened registration on New Year and it is open to every Zimbabwean girl whether abroad or local who so wish to be Miss Universe Zimbabwe,” she said.
“There are no age restrictions but as a board we are going to sit down as to how far can we go because Miss Universe generally is open. However, divorced women, married and unmarried women including those with children are welcome to take part.”
“We chose to do it earlier so that we have time with the queen as we prepare her for the international stage.”
Hunda said auditions are only in four cities.
“We are doing four major cities –Harare, Bulawayo, Mutare, and Masvingo – due to financial constraints as compared to last year where we where all over, but this time we have picked spots where those interested can come and witness,” she said.
The former beauty queen said the competition is for girls of any race or colour as long as they holds a Zimbabwean citizenship.
“We don’t discriminate race, colour, and height as long you are Zimbabwean. The current queen Brooke Bruk is a citizen of Zimbabwe and her parents and grandparents are Zimbabweans. There was no controversy last year because she is white and it wasn’t fair what some were saying on social media on Brooke because they didn’t consider or check more about her. Brooke did well and she deserved the crown, that controversy was null and void,” she said.
Hunda said this year they are looking for someone who is an ambassador for social change.
“We are looking for someone who can represent Zimbabwe, the brand Zimbabwe as an ambassador.
“We are high on the brand of social change, someone who addresses the various social issues that affect the country,” she said.
“Someone who can carry the Brand Zimbabwe campaign and bring change, especially someone who can initiate projects to help alleviate poverty, to find solutions in the health sector, and reduction of hunger among other factors as these are topical issues in the pageant.”
“Someone who can share the Zimbabwean story and someone beautiful because it’s a beauty pageant, someone who can defend Zimbabwe and is well versed about the country.”
The national director said they have learned a lot from last year in El Salvador.
“2024 is going to be bigger and better, last year was our learning curve. Our selection team has the experience at the world stage and they are going to be more thorough,” she said.
“We are upgrading the quality production and we have started the preparations.
“We have released our road map and this year we are crowning the queen on May 18, as the global show is in September in Mexico.”
“We are going to reveal the top 30 ambassadors of social change on April 27 and voting for the best ambassador of social change video begins the following day.
“Bootcamp is on May 11-18 at a secret location,” she explained.
Last year saw Brooke Bruk crowned Miss Universe Zimbabwe beating other 11 finalists at an event held in Harare. She went on to represent the country in El Salvador.
Online Reporter