Online Reporter
Mthokozisi Ncube [email protected]
For Mzolisi Zibusiso Mtshayisa, the runway was never the finish line. It was only the starting point. Now a model coach, groomer, pageant organiser and brand ambassador, the 2023 Mr Bulawayo winner has spent the past few years shifting his focus from collecting titles to developing talent.
Recently, that vision took centre stage at the Panthers Academy Fashion Showcase and Crowning Night in Bulawayo. The event brought together models, designers and creatives for an evening of fashion, music and pageantry, with Ntandoyenkosi Mpofu crowned Miss Panthers Queen 2026, Ashley Junior Chipayi taking the Mr Panthers King 2026 title, while Melisa Moyo and Thobani Lova won the Teen titles. Little Miss Panthers 2026 went to Hope Ndlovu.
For Mtshayisa, however, the crowning was only part of a bigger picture.
“I’m so thankful to everyone who showed up and the support I received from Bulawayo as a whole. That was truly a step towards reviving the Bulawayo modelling industry,” he said.
Mtshayisa’s CV reads like a pageant programme. He is Mr Bulawayo 2023, Misters of Zimbabwe 2024 runner-up, Mister Earth Zimbabwe 2025 and Man of the World Zimbabwe 2026. He is also a three-time Bulawayo Models Awards nominee and 2024 award recipient, Brand Ambassador for Signature Suits Bulawayo, Co-Director of Misters of Zimbabwe and Vice Secretary General of the Bulawayo Models Association.
But beyond the titles and accolades, Mtshayisa says his own journey through the industry helped him identify a gap that needed to be addressed.
“My journey as a model showed me that talent alone is never enough. I met many young people with incredible potential, but they lacked guidance, exposure and someone who genuinely believed in them.
“As I grew in the industry, I realised my purpose was becoming bigger than just walking the runway or competing for titles. It was about creating opportunities for others as well,” he said.
That realisation led him to coaching at Panthers Academy, where he is now focused on grooming the next generation of models.
“When grooming aspiring models, I look beyond physical appearance. Confidence, discipline, willingness to learn and a positive attitude are qualities that stand out the most. Skills can be taught, but character and consistency shape successful models,” Mtshayisa said.
For Mtshayisa, Panthers is about more than simply producing winners.
“Mr & Miss Panthers 2026 is more than a crowning ceremony, it is a platform with purpose. We want to bring together models, designers, photographers and creatives under one roof while encouraging contestants to become confident leaders and advocates for causes they believe in,” he said.
He believes collaboration and unity are key to rebuilding Bulawayo’s modelling industry.
“One of the biggest challenges in Bulawayo’s modelling industry is that we often operate in separate camps instead of working together. Healthy competition is important, but division only limits our growth.
“If we want Bulawayo to regain its place as a powerhouse in fashion and modelling, we must value and support our own talent before constantly looking outside the city for validation,” he said.
Outside modelling, Mtshayisa is also a vocalist, instrumentalist and aerobics coach. He is an advocate for animal welfare and worked with Free To Be Wild Sanctuary during his Mister Earth Zimbabwe 2025 journey.
His advice to young creatives is simple and direct.
“Modelling is about far more than appearance. It requires discipline, professionalism, confidence and resilience. Invest in yourself, stay coachable, do not fear rejection and let every opportunity help you grow,” he said.
