Online Reporter
Mthokozisi Ncube, Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
BULAWAYO’S Nkulumane suburb is set to host the inaugural Miss Urban Culture & Mr Urban Culture pageant, a spin-off of the renowned Miss Rural and Mr Rural Zimbabwe initiative.
Scheduled for 19 December, the event aims to empower township youth, particularly young women, to embrace their natural beauty and cultural heritage.
The pageant encourages contestants to present themselves in their authentic, unaltered state, free from makeup, western hair styles or other artificial modifications.
“The contestants must be single, ranging from 18 to 30 years old, with no children,” said pageant founder, Sipho Mazibuko.
The initiative promotes natural African features and warns against harmful practices such as skin bleaching, hair relaxers, fake eyelashes, and body infusions, which have become increasingly common in urban areas.
Mazibuko shared a stark example of the risks involved.
“A young woman reportedly lost vision in one eye after using artificial eyelashes glued with an unknown substance. Doctors confirmed that the glue could not be removed surgically, and she will now require a pirate-style eye patch to cover the empty socket.
“These are the dangers women go through. We want our contestants to be proud of their natural features and to avoid risking their health for beauty trends,” Mazibuko said.
The pageant is also educational and culturally enriching, with planned school programmes, mentorship sessions, cultural events, and the creation of a cultural village showcasing traditional skills. By promoting authenticity, the initiative aims to inspire confidence, self-respect and empowerment among urban youth.
“Just as Miss Rural highlights rural issues, Miss Urban Culture will spotlight the social challenges affecting urban communities while encouraging youth to connect with their heritage,” Mazibuko added.
Bongani Ndlovu