Online Reporter
Sithatshisiwe Gwaza
Zimpapers Entertainment Hub
JUST when Zimbabwe thought pageantry was all about slim waists, teens in heels and flawless catwalks, a new queen-sized storm is brewing − and it’s wearing a wedding ring.
Zimbabwe is officially entering the Mrs Universe arena for the first time ever, and according to the woman behind it, this is not your usual “smile-and-wave” beauty contest.
Slated for May 7, the debut Mrs Universe Zimbabwe pageant is already ruffling feathers and rewriting the rules of who gets to wear a crown.
At the centre of it all is Sibonelo Khuphe, the reigning Mrs Universe Africa, who holds the national licence and is determined to shake up a space long dominated by youthful glamour.
“This platform goes far beyond physical beauty,” Khuphe said.
“It focuses on social responsibility, advocacy, and creating positive community impact rather than traditional modelling standards.”
Translation?
This crown isn’t chasing perfect cheekbones — it wants purpose.
Open to married, divorced and widowed women aged 28 to 50, Mrs Universe Zimbabwe is giving grown women, with real-life stories and lived experiences, a front-row seat to the spotlight.
Stretch marks, curves, scars and all are welcome.
And if anyone thought beauty was still the entry ticket, Khuphe shut that door firmly.
“Beauty is no longer a prerequisite,” she said.
“What is important is that the advocacy that you believe in aligns with the Mrs Universe advocacy which speaks to Gender Based Violence.”
For years, Zimbabwe has cheered on beauty queens − young, glamorous and Instagram-ready.
Meanwhile, Mrs pageants quietly stayed in the shadows. Until now.
Khuphe revealed that Zimbabwe had never even sent a contestant to Mrs Universe International before − not by choice, but because there was no licence holder.
That changed after her own continental run lit a fire.
She says representing Africa at Mrs Universe Africa made her realise how many Zimbabwean women had been left out of the pageant conversation.
“When I acquired the license, I knew it would make a significant difference for women who do not qualify in most pageants,” she said.
Now the gloves are off.
The winner of the May showdown will make history by representing Zimbabwe at the Mrs Universe International Pageant this October in Botswana − conveniently close to home.
“Lucky for us Mrs Universe international is going to be in Africa, right here in Botswana so we are confident that we will be able to take our participant there,” Khuphe said.
The current global queen, India’s Sherry Singh, is expected to pass on the crown, and Zimbabwe is gearing up to make a statement — loud and proud.
Khuphe insists timing is everything, saying the May event gives enough breathing room to prepare properly.
“We should have ample time to prepare to make sure we have our national costumes ready, because that is very crucial in showcasing what Zimbabwe is all about,” she said.
And, in a move sure to please sceptics burnt by broken pageant promises, Khuphe addressed the money talk head-on.
“We have been speaking to quite a number of organizations who are really excited to fund this platform that supports women who had otherwise parked their dreams to re realise them,” she said.
With married women stepping into heels, advocacy taking centre stage and age limits being stretched instead of tightened, Mrs Universe Zimbabwe isn’t just launching but new dawn.
One thing is clear: this pageant isn’t here to whisper. It’s here to remind Zimbabwe that dreams don’t expire − even after “I do.”
Mathew Masinge