Online Reporter
Tafadzwa Zimoyo
Zimpapers Entertainment Hub Editor
IT was emotional, colourful and powerful!
The gospel anthem by Minister Michael Mahendere, ‘Messiah, Messiah, Messiah,’ echoed through Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport yesterday as hundreds of people broke into song and cheered the moment Miss World Zimbabwe Brunette Makanyiso emerged from competing formalities.
It was an emotional homecoming for the Chitungwiza-born beauty, who returned home to a hero’s welcome, after proudly representing Zimbabwe at the Miss World Festival in Vietnam.
Family, friends, Miss Universe Zimbabwe board members, church leaders, Salvation Army members and hundreds of fans had packed the airport, eagerly waiting to see their queen.
And, when she finally appeared, the waiting crowd exploded.
The singing grew louder as Brunette walked towards them, visibly stunned by the reception.
There were hugs, tears, ululation and screams as the young beauty was welcomed back home it into the Top Six in Africa at the Miss World competition.
From the streets of Chitungwiza to one of the world’s biggest beauty stages, Brunette has given her community and country plenty to celebrate.
“I am shocked and happy at the same time. I honestly did not expect to see so many people here waiting for me,” she said.
“Seeing my family, friends, the board, people from Chitungwiza and everyone who came to support me means so much to me.
“It shows me that this journey was not mine alone. Zimbabwe walked this journey with me.”
Brunette said she was proud of how she represented the country throughout the Miss World Festival, where she competed against contestants from across the globe.
Although she did not advance through the Head-to-Head and Talent challenges, she remained in contention and ultimately secured a place among the Top Six African contestants, giving Zimbabwe a strong showing on the continental stage.
“I believe I did well in representing my country,” she said.
“I carried Zimbabwe with pride. There were challenges along the way, but I kept reminding myself that I was there because of Zimbabweans and because of the support I received back home. I gave it my all.”
But Brunette’s journey, she said, was never just about beauty, fashion and competition.
Her Beauty With a Purpose project remains central to her mission, and she vowed to continue the work after returning home.
“This is not where the project ends,” she said.
“I am going to continue from where I left. I want to take the work forward and make sure that the people and communities we were focusing on continue to benefit. The crown gives me a platform, but the real purpose is what I do with that platform.”
For her mother, Faith Makanyiso, having her daughter back home was a moment filled with both happiness and tears.
“I am happy that my daughter is back home but I am also emotional because I know what she has gone through and I know where we started,” she said.
“It was not easy raising her. We went through many challenges and there were times when you would wonder what the future would look like.
“But I thank God because He has brought us this far. When I look at her today and see where she is, I can only say God has been faithful.
“All those struggles, all those tears and all those prayers have produced this result. This is where she is today.”
