Chronicle Editor
Bongani Ndlovu, Showbiz Correspondent
Preparations for the Miss Summer Strides modelling contest are going on well with event organisers saying over 30 models have auditioned thus far.
Semi-finals for the pageant which makes its return after 13 years will be held this Saturday at Lavinia Gardens in Bulawayo with the finale set to take place at the same venue on December 5.
For the past two weeks, auditions and castings have been taking place at the venue with organisers scouting for potential contestants.
Sipho Mazibuko, founder of the pageant, said she was glad to be hosting modelling pageants and grooming models once again. She stopped doing this years back as she was battling a bipolar disorder which saw her being hospitalised. Now, she is back up and is ready to continue pursuing her modelling passion. She said initially, they wanted to hold one round of auditions, but due to the overwhelming response they received from up-and-coming models, they had to have more auditions.
“The auditions are going well so far. At first, people seemed hesitant as they didn’t believe the pageant, but we’re now getting interest from around the country. We’re getting models from as far as Harare, Masvingo, Gweru and Kadoma.
“The final number (of models) we’ll know tomorrow because we’re arranging for some to travel to Bulawayo,” said the veteran modelling instructor.
A former beauty queen herself, Mazibuko said they want to crown an educated queen who will be able to clearly articulate mental health issues.
Online Reporter