adminAuxilia Katongomara Saturday Leisure Correspondent
THEY say patience is a virtue!
Recently crowned Miss Bulawayo 2013 Mellissa Chaka says one has to be very patient to make it in the modelling industry.
The 22-year-old Chaka whose face is not new in the modelling circles, said the secret to success in the modelling industry is never to give up even after losing.
The elated model began modelling in 2010 and was contesting in the city’s premier beauty contest for the third time.
“The trick in modelling is never to lose hope. After losing in a pageant, one must learn to accept and pick up the pieces and prepare for the next pageant,” said Chaka.
She said she was intensifying preparations for the Miss Zim pageant beginning next week.
“The Miss Zim is just by the corner and it is just a few weeks away so I will also start preparations next week.
I want to make my city proud like my successors so I will work extra hard to maintain the city’s glory,” said Chaka.
She said it was not easy taking part in a pageant as it required one to work hard to prepare for the event.
Chaka first took part in the Miss Southern Africa pageant in 2010 before taking part in the Miss Bulawayo in 2011 and 2012 respectively.
Last year, she was crowned Miss Heritage at the Miss Global International pageant held in Harare.
She was among the 19 beauties that took part in the inaugural Carnival Queen pageant held in May.
Chaka was born and grew up in Bulawayo and attended Bulawayo Adventist High School before proceeding to Zimbabwe College of Professional Studies for her Advanced Level.
She holds a diploma in Human Resources and works at a local college as a secretary.
She takes over from Miss Zimbabwe Bongani Dhlakama who surrendered the crown last Saturday.
Meanwhile, the search for Miss Grand International Zimbabwe intensifies with the organisers calling on aspiring models to come for auditions.
“This is the last call for all beautiful girls in the provinces to come through for audition for the inaugural Miss Grand International Zimbabwe,” said Samantha Tshuma, licence holder of the pageant.
The former Miss Tourism Zimbabwe said they were looking for 30 girls from the country’s 10 provinces to battle it out in the finals.
She said they were calling models even those who failed to make it at the recently held Miss Bulawayo pageant.
Auditions will be held today and tomorrow.
Models in Bulawayo can register at Jo and Ash Studio 13 at Izizwe Zonke shopping complex in Bradfield while those in Beitbridge should register at Beitbridge District Club.
The launch would be held on 13 July at Garden Restaurant in Suburbs, Bulawayo.
derick.khumalo