Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
A total of 18 models are set to compete as the Mr and Miss Rural Zimbabwe pageant holds its Matabeleland South provincial finals in Beitbridge on Saturday evening.
The Miss Rural pageant is making a comeback after a break of over 15 years.
Mental Voices Trust, the organisers of the revamped pageant, have announced that the search for Mr and Miss Rural Zimbabwe will take place at Pagomba Café.
Event organiser Sipho Mazibuko said the pageant’s primary objective is to provide rural youth with equal opportunities for exposure, similar to their urban counterparts who participate in renowned pageants such as Miss World, Miss Universe, and Miss Earth.
She explained that the models have been drawn from Beitbridge, Bulilima, Mangwe, Matobo, Insiza, Umzingwane, and Gwanda districts.
“We are ready and the boot camp starts today (Thursday). The wardrobe is almost ready and was done by designers from Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo Polytechnic College,” said Mazibuko.
“The designs are themed around drugs and substance abuse, environmental awareness, HIV and AIDS, and ICT awareness messages.
“In addition, we will also have the National Dress Fabric Tamba Nejira/Dlala Ngelembu designers’ competition, and we will honour Vice President Mohadi with a Venda collection of dresses by Ncoma Style Lab.”
She added that Ishmael, the Crown Hunter who handles all top pageants, will manage the choreography. This year, he worked on Miss Universe Zimbabwe and Miss World Zimbabwe choreography.
Mazibuko said the organisers have received strong support from local stakeholders, including Innocent Chenjerai of Sundrive Coalition, who has organised several high-profile events nationally.
She also credited Beitbridge Municipality for its contributions in resource and stakeholder mobilisation.
“The Town Clerk’s office has been very instrumental in mobilising corporates, and we have visited banks, shipping agents, supermarkets, and all prominent businesses with the council’s public relations officer, Mr Raniel Ndou, leading us.
I am very thankful to the Town Clerk (Loud Ramakgapola) and his office for embracing the Miss Rural pageant, something most senior officials don’t do at all. We are tying all loose ends, and from Thursday the models will start doing roadshows,” said Mazibuko.
