Online Reporter
Tafadzwa Zimoyo in Bangkok
ZIMBABWE’S Lyshanda Moyas brought the Miss Universe stage to a standstill in Bangkok yesterday, stepping out in a breathtaking national costume that instantly became one of the most talked-about moments of the entire showcase.
In true show-stopping fashion, she didn’t just walk – she arrived, radiating confidence, fire and cultural pride that electrified the Impact Challenger Hall.
Her costume, boldly titled “Born of the Baobab, Forged in Flame”, is already being hailed as one of Zimbabwe’s strongest national costume presentations in years.
From the moment Lyshanda emerged from behind the curtain, the crowd erupted and phones shot into the air to capture her. Beauty analysts, pageant bloggers and fans in the arena agreed: Zimbabwe had delivered a showstopper.
The costume pays homage to the majestic Baobab, the ancient, towering icon that has stood for centuries as a symbol of protection, wisdom and endurance. Lyshanda’s silhouette echoed the tree’s powerful stance — grounded, expansive and unshakeably regal. Every inch of the garment carried meaning: the deep black represented Zimbabwe’s identity and majority; the bold red honoured the generational bloodline that binds the nation; and the blazing orange symbolised the fire of transformation — a flame that refines rather than destroys.
But the real jaw-dropper was the tailpiece: a magnificent structure created from sustainably sourced Baobab fibres, intricately braided and dyed in fiery earth tones. As she walked, it moved like a living flame – a tribute to heritage, land and the fierce spirit of Zimbabwean womanhood.
Lyshanda, who has already emerged as one of Africa’s breakout stars at this year’s Miss Universe competition, said she felt emotional wearing the design.
“This costume carries my ancestors, my people and my identity. The show wasn’t just a performance — it was a declaration of who we are: strong, rooted and rising,” she said after the show.
In the VIP section, Miss Universe Zimbabwe board members Miniyothabo Baloyi-Chiwenga and Tendai Hunda watched proudly as Lyshanda delivered one of her boldest performances yet. Hunda, who has been at the forefront of rebuilding Zimbabwe’s presence on the global pageant stage, could not hide her excitement.
“This costume is Zimbabwe’s heartbeat. It’s the Baobab — our mother, our shelter, our memory. We wanted a story that goes beyond fashion, and Lyshanda brought it to life with dignity and power. She carried the spirit of the nation with every step.”
Hunda said that the design team worked tirelessly to ensure the costume told a complete Zimbabwean story.
“The fire elements represent transformation and resilience. Zimbabwe has walked through flames before, yet we stand tall. That’s what this costume says to the world,” she added.
Fans in Thailand have since flooded social media with praise, calling Lyshanda “a walking inferno of elegance”, “a queen rooted in power” and “one of the night’s biggest surprises”.
