admin
Tafadzwa Zimoyo Entertainment Reporter
Zimbabwean model and beauty queen Panashe Pfende is among 60 contestants vying for the coveted title of Top Model of the World. The pageant, which is in its 22nd year running, is being held on September 5 at Ancient Sands Hotel, El Gouna, Egypt.
According to the show organisers, the event will be beamed live from the Abu Tig Marina on Friday, September 4, at 8pm.
Leading up to the pageant, the contestants will have experienced the best of El Gouna and the Red Sea, in Egypt.
2014 winner, Tania Valencia Cuero, will crown her successor at the conclusion of the two-hour telecast.
The models will be judged by a celebrity panel in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview.
The show concludes with one contestant being announced the new Top Model of the World.
In an interview with The Herald Entertainment, the model expressed her excitement and said she is ready to conquer the world.
“I am so happy that I am representing the country and so far, I have started my preparations. I am happy that some well-wishers who include Mumba Children’s Project director Washington Ali and Hildah Mulenga have given me the opportunity to represent my country in Egypt. I am starting my gym lessons next week and have already changed my diet,” she said.
The 22-year-old former Miss Teen Harare Junior recently made it into the top eight at the Miss Zimbabwe World 2015 pageant.
The stunning Panashe is set to follow in the footsteps of Nadine Hahn, Vanessa Sibanda and Malaika Mushandu who made a mark when they walked the ramp at the Top Model showcase that has come to provide a niche for local beauties to showcase their beauty, brains and talent. Perhaps she is the one who will get to walk away with the crown.
Panashe, who describes herself as a staunch Christian, said her fine run could not have been possible had it not been for God’s grace.
“The most important and key factor that was at play right from the onset was confidence in myself, which my family, friends and modeling agency, Prestige Modeling Agency, made sure I had to cultivate and stay with it always. This is one area where some of our fellow models fall short on, especially when they come face to face with some of the models from different parts of the world who might look beautiful yet in reality they will be lacking in intelligence and self-confidence,” she said.
She wears her patriotism with pride.
“You should keep your chin up and know that you are representing a beautiful country full of hospitable people who will rallying behind you no matter, and this exactly what I did and I am happy for my country Zimbabwe because it is not an easy feat to make it that far without the support of your fellow countrymen. I particularly liked the kind of hard work that went into the preparations and this saw me attending the gym frequently to keep my body in shape while issues like eating a balanced diet, make-up, costume and posture were all essential part of the package,” she said.
Talking of wardrobe, Panashe had the privilege of a team of five fashion designers at her disposal who were responsible for designing her dress.
“I am grateful to this team of hard-working and exceptionally-talented fashion designers who made it possible for me to look vivacious, stunning and out of this world on the ramp, and in true spirit of a dress reflecting the background of where one comes from, I was happy that the guys went a notch up in ensuring that I was typically Zimbabwean and stood out of the rest of the pile. I am yet to decide on the dresses though,” she said.
Her manager, former model Sandra Chawabvunza – owner of Prestige Model Agency — said Panashe was the best amongst the rest.
“I have been working well with Panashe, I put my money on her because I know success is upon her. She is not new on the ramp and that is an advantage to her because, she now knows what to do and what not to do. It is just that this is an international pageant only,” said Chawabvunza who is also the country representative manager for Top Model of the World
Chawabvunza appealed to those willing to chip in and sponsor Panashe’s trip to get in touch with agency.
Online Reporter