Online Reporter
Sipepisiwe Moyo, [email protected]
The Mr and Miss Rural Zimbabwe pageant has secured a venue, Heritage Village in Harare, for its national finals, set for September 27.
The selection of one of Zimbabwe’s premier cultural destinations aligns with the pageant’s mission of celebrating the country’s heritage, rural identity and community development.
Pageant founder Sipho Mazibuko said the venue that serves as an educational space for passing down historical and cultural knowledge, including traditional Gota/Nhanga/Ixhiba (traditional youth guidance) sessions, was a natural choice.
“Heritage Village represents authentic Zimbabwean culture, from its architecture to its hospitality. It’s the perfect home for a pageant that puts rural talent and tradition at the centre,” she said.
Heritage Village manager Mr Mutigwe said the event will be held at the monumental Liberation City, which houses the Liberation of African Museum.
“The venue is the ideal setting for a heritage-based pageant, as it will give contestants a first-hand experience of who they are — first as members of their communities, then as national representatives, and ultimately as global ambassadors of the authentic Brand Zimbabwe,” he said.
The venue confirmation comes as preparations intensify for the remaining provincial qualifiers ahead of the national showcase.
The pageant has been travelling across the country, staging provincial competitions and crowning provincial queens and kings.
Successful events have already been held in provinces including Masvingo, Manicaland and Matabeleland.
Mazibuko said the national finals would also create economic opportunities for local vendors, artisans and performers, in line with the pageant’s rural empowerment agenda.
Preparations are now underway for the remaining provincial finals in Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, Mashonaland Central and Midlands.
