Miss Zimbabwe finale on tonight

and land a chance to represent Zimbabwe at the Miss World finals later this year.
Besides the glitz and glamour on the catwalk, there is a stellar line-up of performers to spice up the pageant whose theme is “I am Zimbabwean” put together by the rejuvenated Miss Zim­babwe Trust.
Topping the bill is superstar Oliver Mtukudzi, Willis Wataffi, Adiona Maboreke, Cindy Munyavi and charis­matic and flamboyant rapper Mudiwa Mutandwa will perform in between the pageant as well as the after party.
The Miss Zimbabwe pageant has always been a plat­form to empower young Zimbabwean girls through imparting knowledge on the rich cultural aspects of the country’s tradition, cus­toms and values.
The journey that began months ago will culminate in the crowning of one of the beauties worthy to represent the country and its people on the international stage. Whoever wins tonight will have outclassed other con­testants after going through a rigorous boot camp that took them from the grassroots — in the villages to the bright lights of the cities.
Already, expectations high this year because for the first time the pageant was made into a reality show screened on ZBCTV as the organisers sought to reach a wider audience.
Paxina Kalulu of the Miss Zimbabwe Trust was enthusiastic about tonight’s grand finale, saying all the girls were raring to go.
“It’s been a journey and yes, of course, we had chal­lenges but what has been amazing is that the girls now understand what it means to be Zimbabwean and they have all impressed us. At this stage I can’t really say who the winner is going to be because they are all beautiful and they made us really proud,” she said during rehearsals.
Those who will attend the event will get their money’s worth after seeing the models going through their paces, the show promises nothing but fireworks and goose bumps galore.
As usual the Miss Zimbabwe Trust patron, Kiki Divaris, will be rallying the models to ensure that they all have a chance to shine when they take to the ramp.
Some of the contestants include Euginia Chiyangwa (18), Sandra Chanakira (24), Melissa Chikerema, Valence Chingonzo (20), Anita Gumbo (23), Bongani Dlakama (23), Precious Dube (24) Loreen Hama (23), Nyaradzo Jere (17), Emily Tatanga Kachote (22), Bar­bara Kany­ongo (22) and Tanron Muoni, among others.
The event has over the years produced some of the country’s most beautiful women, some of whom have done well for themselves long after their reign.