Chronicle Editor
Mthabisi Tshuma, Showbiz Correspondent
MODELS Prosper Msamanyanda and Laura Nyathi have been crowned Mr and Miss Summer Strides 2021 at a colourful ceremony at Lavinia Gardens in Waterford, Bulawayo.
Msamanyanda outshined competition from Mike Muponda (first prince) and Michael Muchemwa (second prince) at the pageant held last Friday.
Nyathi was crowned queen after a tight contest that saw Zwoluga Moyo emerging first princess while the second princess crown went to Anita Wangisi. Held under the theme “Stay Safe, Stay Alive, Vaccinate”, the pageant was contested by ten male models and ten female models.
Officiating at the event, Health and Child Care Deputy Minister Dr John Mangwiro hailed the pageant for playing a part in ensuring the country attains herd immunity which will also be a boost to the modelling industry.
“It is my singular honour to be here tonight celebrating beauty and health all under one umbrella. As we meet in these difficult times where death is just a sneeze away due to the novel coronavirus, we want this pageant to create an awareness of vaccination among youths countrywide
“This year’s theme resonates with the Health Ministry’s drive to create awareness for vaccination and our goal to reach herd immunity,” said Deputy Minister Mangwiro.
Speaking on the side-lines of the event, the pageant’s founder Sipho Mazibuko said the winners will work closely with Mr and Miss Rural in facilitating community development projects.
“We are happy the pageant is making strides after Miss Summer Strides made a comeback last year after a 13-year sabbatical while Mr Summer Strides made a comeback this year,” said Mazibuko.
Nyathi said: “Honestly speaking after being afforded the opportunity of being the queen of Miss Summer Strides, l was stuck in a web of shock and excitement at the same time.
“It was just an incredible moment to remember and one of the most crucial events of my entire professional life as it was my first. With absolute clarity l am very much indebted to this crown and I want to humbly convey my utmost gratitude to everyone who supported me and gave me the strength to continue unleashing my potential capabilities of being persistent and growing in the modelling industry,” said Loloe.
Mr Summer Strides King Msamanyanda was on cloud nine.
“I ventured into the modelling industry on July 23 this year and my vision is to give hope to the hopeless and be the voice for the voiceless and also bring a change to the society.
“This was my first competition I’ve participated actually. It’s the grace of God that saw me winning since Mr Summer Strides was my first competition thus all I can say is it’s been God since day one,” said Zlatan. — @mthabisi_mthire
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