Online Reporter
Melissa Mpofu, [email protected]
As the countdown to the Miss Universe Zimbabwe finale intensifies, former Miss Zimbabwe queen Malaika Mushandu is making a remarkable return to the pageantry spotlight more than a decade after she first captured the nation’s imagination.
“Sink or swim, let the games begin,” Mushandu declared on social media recently, a statement that perfectly captures her mindset as she prepares to compete against 17 other contestants for one of five international titles this Saturday in Harare.
Mushandu is no stranger to the spotlight. In 2011, she made history when she was crowned Miss Zimbabwe at just 17 years old, becoming one of the youngest women ever to win the title. She went on to represent the country at the Miss
World competition, where she secured a Top 10 finish, cementing her place among Zimbabwe’s most successful beauty queens on the global stage.
Now, at 33, she is returning not as a teenager with dreams, but as an accomplished filmmaker, entrepreneur and advocate determined to use the platform for a greater purpose.
This year’s competition will crown representatives for Miss Universe, Miss World, Miss Cosmo, Miss Supranational and Miss International, raising the stakes and attracting some of the country’s most experienced pageant hopefuls.
In a promotional video ahead of the competition, Mushandu reflected on her journey and what has inspired her return.
“Sometimes we return to the places we knew. Years ago, I stood on a stage as a young girl with big dreams. Today, I return, not simply as that girl, but as a woman shaped by life, storytelling, faith and purpose. I’m a woman who believes deeply in living a life full of intention,” she said.
While many remember her as the teenager who wore the Miss Zimbabwe crown, Mushandu says the years that followed taught her lessons far beyond pageantry.
“I had the privilege of becoming one of the youngest women to become Miss Zimbabwe in 2011 when I was just 17. Later on, I represented the country on the world stage. But over the years, I’ve learnt something important. Titles eventually fade. What remains is who you become.
“Life taught me resilience, humility and service. It taught me that confidence is not rooted in applause, but purpose. My confidence comes from knowing that God loves me, and because of that, I truly believe I never lose in life. I either win or learn.”
Today, Mushandu is best known as a producer, entrepreneur and co-founder of Film in Zim, a media company dedicated to telling authentic African stories. Holding a Bachelor of Arts degree in Motion Picture Medium and a Special Honours Degree in Monitoring and Evaluation, she has built a career around storytelling and empowering emerging creatives.
She believes media has the power to shape identities and influence how people view themselves and their communities.
“From a young age, I understood the power of storytelling. As I grew older, I began to realise that media does not simply entertain us, it influences how we see ourselves and how the world sees us. That understanding is what led me into film.
“Today, my advocacy focuses on authentic storytelling and positive representation. I believe young people should see stories that empower them, stories that reflect truth and stories that remind them of their value.”
Mushandu said one of her key goals is ensuring African stories are told by Africans and from an African perspective.
“Locally, I want to be a positive voice within the modelling industry. I would like to encourage young people to understand that influence does not come with fame alone, but also with responsibility.
“Internationally, I want African stories to be told by Africans from an African perspective.”
Mushandu’s commitment to nurturing future storytellers extends beyond words. Five percent of Film in Zim’s profits are dedicated to mentoring and supporting aspiring filmmakers.
“For me, advocacy is not only about speaking, it’s also about action. After all, faith without action is dead. Since founding Film in Zim in 2024, five percent of our profits have been dedicated to mentoring and supporting aspiring filmmakers.
“Preserving our stories is not only about telling them, it is also about investing in the next generation of storytellers.”
As she prepares for another walk onto the pageant stage, Mushandu says her mission is bigger than winning a crown.
“I stand here not simply chasing a title. I stand carrying experience, purpose and the hopes of a nation I love deeply. Miss Universe Zimbabwe is more than a crown to me. It is another opportunity to inspire, serve and create impact – to show young women that elegance and intelligence can co-exist, and that softness can still be a strength.
“My name is Malaika Mushandu, mwana wevhu, and I am only getting started,” she declared at the end.
For many pageant followers, her return adds an intriguing dimension to what is already shaping up to be one of Zimbabwe’s most competitive beauty contests in recent years.
