Online Reporter
Mthabisi Tshuma, [email protected]
Preparations for the Mr and Miss Rural Zimbabwe national finals are in full swing, with organisers promising a bigger and better event to be held at Heritage Village in Harare on September 27.
The pageant, a brainchild of Sipho Mazibuko, who hails from Matabeleland South Province, is aimed at celebrating and reviving Zimbabwe’s diverse cultures while creating opportunities for rural youth.
To ensure a world-class event, organisers have assembled a diverse technical team and committee drawn from stakeholders across the country.
“We have set up a committee with people from all the provinces. The committee consists of Hon Nyasha Chikwinya as chairperson and Ambassador, Superintendent Precious Simango as vice chairperson, former Mr Strides Prince 2004 Martin
Galuza as national pageant manager, and Sabhuku Tendesai Moyo of Umguza Ward as national matron,” said Mazibuko.
The wardrobe and design department will be led by Marcia Gumbo of Mars Luxury Designs Bulawayo as National Designers Wardrobe Manager. She will be assisted by Sylvester Ngwenya of Sylveh Couture Co based in Johannesburg, who has dressed
King Misuzulu’s wife and other top South African celebrities.
Other key appointments include Mr Ndabenhle Mazibuko of La Kreme Restaurant Bulawayo as Head of Catering, Legal Advisor
Zoleka Mazibuko, Head of Tribal Makeup Milton Moyo from Bulawayo, Head of Stage Design Tutani of Versatile Innovations
Bulawayo, and Traditional Decor Heads Ospar Hungwa and Aunty Sipho Mazibuko.
Administration will be handled by Queen Vanessa from Manicaland and Queen Belle from Matabeleland South. The cultural component will be strengthened by Umkhosi WaMatshitshi neMhandara’s Induna yamaTshitshi, Macecisi Sichelesile Dube, a
25-year-old virgin from under Chief Dakamela. Media and marketing partners for the event are Zimpapers and ZTN.
Mazibuko said the event is set to draw audiences from across Zimbabwe and representatives from other African states.
“Venue coordination is in full swing. Invitations to African ambassadors based in Zimbabwe have gone out, and we are selling the 90 VIP tables. The Belarus Ambassador has already accepted our invitation,” she said.
Organisers have also invited models from Sudan, Kenya, Botswana, Tanzania and Egypt to add an international dimension to the finals.
Traditional dance groups will be identified at the Chibuku Neshamwari National Finals in Harare this Saturday. The lineup will include Tshangani dancers performing the sacred Xibhelani dance, while Khaya Arts from Bulawayo is also earmarked to perform.
Mazibuko thanked Hon Chikwinya for providing resources to purchase fabric for the national dress.
“We need lots of it. Designers who won in the Tamba Nejira/Dlala Ngelembu National Dress Fabric competition have already started preparing their designs for submission and selection for use in the pageant,” she said.
ZANU-PF affiliates have been chosen for the ushering department, with Cde Maria, who owns a ushers company, set to provide professional ushers for the event.
A key pillar of the pageant is cultural revival and youth development. Virgins who participated in already held provincial finals will perform Umkhosi waMatshitshi in the run-up to the national finals.
“This is to resuscitate the culture of fighting HIV and AIDS, unwanted pregnancies and STIs. We want to bring back respect and dignity to our youths, both male and female,” Mazibuko said.
The pageant has grown since its inception to become a national platform that gives rural communities visibility and pride. By taking place at Heritage Village, the event will also promote domestic tourism and showcase Zimbabwean heritage to international guests.
Organisers say the 2026 edition will be the most inclusive yet, with representation from all provinces and strong involvement of traditional leaders, government officials, the private sector and the creative industry.
With less than two months to go, ticket sales, table bookings and final rehearsals are underway. The committee says it is confident the September 27 show will not only crown new Mr and Miss Rural Zimbabwe, but also reaffirm the role of culture as a tool for unity, health awareness and economic empowerment.
As preparations continue, Mazibuko called on corporates, government departments and communities to support the initiative.
“Mr and Miss Rural Zimbabwe is not just a pageant. It is a movement to celebrate who we are, where we come from, and to give our rural youth a stage to shine,” she said.
