Online Reporter
Melissa Mpofu
Zimpapers Entertainment Hub
SEVEN national queens will be crowned at what will be Zimbabwe’s biggest pageantry night in Harare tomorrow night.
Eighteen contestants will battle for top honours in the grand finale of the Miss Universe Zimbabwe.
The show is set for the Harare Hippodrome and will get underway at 6pm.
The finalists are Nomaqhikiza Mokoni, Charmaine Mabvundwe, Ruvimbo Njomboro, Roseanna Hall, Kudzaishe Mwamuka, Mona-Lisa Dube, Jemima Mandemwa, Brunette Makanyiso, Virginia Nyambe, Nicole Nyawera, Sindiso Ndlovu, Paris Huni, Malaika Mushandu, Kuzivakwashe Mujakachi, Shelly Bent, Tatenda Madzinga, Adelle Chinamasa and Cheryl Shambadzai.
But Miss Universe Zimbabwe is just one of the beauty queens to be crowned tomorrow night.
The others are Miss World Zimbabwe, Miss Cosmo Zimbabwe, Miss Supranational Zimbabwe, Miss International Zimbabwe, Miss Intercontinental Zimbabwe and Top Model of the World Zimbabwe.
National director of Miss Universe Zimbabwe, Tendai Hunda, said the organisation will crown representatives for seven international competitions, significantly increasing opportunities for contestants. “Basically, we’re saying we have seven whole winners at the event.
This time around, we will crown Miss Universe Zimbabwe, Miss World Zimbabwe, Miss Cosmo Zimbabwe, Miss Supranational Zimbabwe and Miss International Zimbabwe.
“We recently added two complementary titles, Miss Intercontinental Zimbabwe and Top Model of the World.
“These will be crowned from the 18 contestants,” said Hunda. She said the expanded format ensures that more contestants will benefit from the platform while positioning Zimbabwe to field stronger representatives on the global stage.
“This is a landmark moment. Zimbabwe has never had a platform of this scale where seven major international titles are awarded from one national competition.
“It raises the standard of pageantry in the country and demonstrates that Zimbabwe is ready to compete with the best in the world.
“We’re creating a sustainable ecosystem that nurtures talent and opens doors internationally.
“Technically, we’re crowning seven Zimbabwean ambassadors for seven different international platforms.
“For me, they’re all equal winners because they are heading to different stages with different requirements, expectations and timelines.”
Hunda said the decision to consolidate several international franchises, under one organisation, was informed by consultations within the modelling industry and the need to improve standards.
“What used to happen is that girls would sometimes be randomly selected to represent Zimbabwe without adequate preparations.
“There were many separate pageants taking place, which often created confusion.
“Consolidation helps with budgeting, quality control and resource sharing.
“It also ensures that every contestant is managed by a reputable organisation and receives the support she deserves when representing the country internationally.”
Asked how judges will select the different queens, event organisers said the core judging criteria will remain the same – confidence, intelligence, communication skills, leadership qualities and overall presentation.
“However, each international pageant has unique requirements.
“The judging panel will carefully identify contestants whose strengths align with the values and expectations of each specific international platform.”
The quality of contestants this year appears exceptionally high, with several beauties who have represented the country on international stages trying out their luck.
Organisers agreed that the bar had been raised this year.
“This is arguably one of the strongest groups we’ve ever assembled.
“We have contestants with international exposure, professional achievements, strong advocacy projects and outstanding communication skills.
“Every stage of the competition has been highly competitive and the judges have a very difficult task ahead of them.”
As part of the incentives, the Miss Universe Zimbabwe winner is expected to drive away in a brand-new vehicle, continuing a tradition that has seen previous title holders receive Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
“Traditionally, the winner receives a car and this year that will still be the case. The specific vehicle will depend on the sponsor.
“We’re also hopeful that the second runner-up may also receive a car, but that will be confirmed on the day,” said Hunda.
Adding international glamour to the event will be former Miss Universe and South African media personality, Zozibini Tunzi, who will attend as an MC.
Hunda said Tunzi’s presence is intended to inspire contestants by giving them direct access to someone who achieved the ultimate pageantry dream.
“I want the girls to understand that it’s possible to bring the Miss Universe crown home.
“They need to see the actual product of what they are competing for and understand that they too, can become Miss Universe.
“Bringing her to the event is personal for me because she’s someone whose journey I’ve followed closely.
“I watched her win and make an impact globally. I watched her transition from modelling into film and directing. She’s a true inspiration to the girls.”
Mathew Masinge