adminNgoni Dapira
ZIMBABWEAN English and Communication first-year student Tafadzwa Matohwe (19), and Nigerian Fashion and Design student Micah Terah (24), were crowned the 2015 Miss and Mr Africa University at the glamorous pageant held at Golden Peacock Hotel last Saturday.
A total of 10 models took part in this year’s Miss AU pageant, while four models took part in the Mr AU contest.
As usual, there was a cross-section of models from various nationalities — Nigeria, Mozambique, Angola and Zimbabwe.
Mozambican Business Management and Administration first year student Olga Celeste and Angolan English and Communication student Josefa Costa were crowned first and second princesses respectively.
Zimbabwean second year Psychology student Nthandoyenkosi Banda scooped the Miss Photogenic award.
Celeste also won the people’s choice award, which was voted on Facebook.
The annual glitz and glam event, which always attracts large crowds in Mutare, this year stepped things up by organising an open-air pageant at the spacious car park of the hotel.
Although the rains that fell in Mutare at the weekend almost spoiled the evening, the event eventually commenced after 10pm when it stopped raining.
The models strutted their stuff in four categories, the free-style, glam it up, African attire and evening wear.
Entertainment came from different groups from the university that sang and danced, showcasing their talent on stage.
The university’s cultural diversity was shown in various acts on the evening like the slow dance piece by a Congolese couple which got a vivacious acclamation from the crowd.
One of the organisers of the event, Vongai Kureva, said their aim was to make the pageant bigger and better every year.
“We decided to hold an open-air pageant and make this year’s event the first of its kind because we believe it must grow each year. Next year’s event should be better,” she said.
The outgoing princess, Iracelma Casssule (21), an Angolan Humanities and Social Sciences student, said being Miss AU would forever be a treasured experience.
“Being Miss AU built my self-esteem and confidence. I used to be shy, but I now know how to relate with different people.
“I also took part in community outreach programmes at Fairfield Orphanage at Old Mutare Mission.
“It was really an amazing experience which also made me a celebrity at the campus overnight and I will forever cherish it,” said Cassule.
Matohwe said she was shocked that she won because of tough competition.
She, however, said she was up to the challenges ahead that come with the crown. “I am so excited about winning though I was not expecting to win, honestly.
“It is my dream to leave my mark at Africa University and this will be my opportunity.
“I will make use of my tenure and proudly represent my university out there.
“I also like modelling, so this will definitely be my stepping stone in the trade,” said Matohwe.
The Miss AU winner will represent the university at the annual Miss Universities Zimbabwe pageant usually held in October.
The winner of the Miss Universities Zimbabwe pageant represents the country at the World Miss Universities.
Last year’s Miss Universities Zimbabwe, Valerie Chingozo, walked away with a Toyota Vitz, iPad and tuition fees for two semesters, among other cash prizes.
Last year AU student Siboninkosi Hove, now an alumni, who was the Miss Universities Zimbabwe second princess, was, however, fortunate to represent Zimbabwe at the World Miss Universities in Seoul, South Korea, in her place.
At the international pageant, Hove was crowned the Miss Benevolence first runner-up and was conferred as the Hwacheon City Ambassador in Africa.
Among the invited dignitaries at the pageant were Hove, reigning Carnival Queen Zimbabwe Gamuchirai Kujeke and Zimbabwe Youth Council chairman and research assistant in the Vice-President’s Office, Acie Lumumba.
Online Reporter