Online Reporter
Mthabisi Tshuma [email protected]
QUEEN Lupane Vithikazi believes the crown represents far more than beauty. For the 24-year-old, it is a platform to uplift rural communities, celebrate culture and inspire young people to pursue their ambitions regardless of their background.
Born Christine Mlalazi, she recently won the Miss Rural Matabeleland North Province 2026 title, adding another achievement to an already impressive journey following her graduation from
Midlands State University with a Bachelor of Honours Degree in Development Planning and Management.
A proud daughter of rural Lupane, Queen Lupane grew up in Gegema Village in Dandanda Ward.
She attended Gegema Primary School before advancing to Gogo High School.
Her journey into the arts began taking shape last year as she explored how the creative industries could complement her passion for community development.
“I’ve always been inspired to be in the arts industry as part of my development work, but I had hardly found an organisation to engage with. Looking back, in November 2025, I got an opportunity to engage with the Chenhaka Trust, which is based in Mutare. There, I had the opportunity to understand the arts industry in terms of policy, policy analysis and advocacy, as well as education.
“This drew so much inspiration for me, although the organisation wasn’t based in my area. I’ve also been engaging with Shanganani Arts in Hwange. However, there has been a gap within my own community, where I live in Lupane,” she said.
The need to bridge that gap in her own community ultimately inspired her to embrace pageantry as a tool for representation, advocacy and youth empowerment.
“This gave me the inspiration to join the arts. In June 2026, I got involved with Miss Rural Zimbabwe, where I was given the opportunity to represent Dandanda Ward in Lupane District. I was always wondering where I could fit in so that other young people, especially young girls, could also admire and pursue careers in the arts industry.
“Not everyone gets the opportunity to go to school. Some people engage in the arts, and that’s how they pursue their careers and get their breakthrough,” she said.
For Queen Lupane Vithikazi, entering Miss Rural Zimbabwe was never solely about the glamour associated with pageantry. Instead, it was an opportunity to shine a spotlight on rural communities and unlock their potential.
“The representation of rural young girls and the rural community at large pushed me to be part of the pageant. I believe Miss Rural is not just about beauty, but is more about promoting culture through our values and norms. It also promotes culture through skills development, including entrepreneurship, business and bead-making as a craft.
“Another important aspect is promoting rural entrepreneurship skills because people in these areas have crafts and talents that need to be promoted. Miss Rural provides a platform for academic learning and personal skills development. It gives people an opportunity for visibility and recognises those who are doing great work within their communities. This is also inspired by the entrepreneurship initiatives being implemented by the Ministry of Women Affairs and SMEs,” said
Queen Lupane Vithikazi.
She is now preparing for the national finals in Harare, where she hopes to use the platform to showcase Zimbabwean culture while amplifying issues affecting young people and rural communities.
Education and the arts remain at the heart of her vision, with the beauty queen eager to use her growing profile to advance advocacy campaigns in both fields.
She recently expanded her development work by participating in the Zimbabwe Parliament for the 2nd Model Youth Parliament 2026 as a youth and development practitioner.
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