adminSimbarashe Mutizwa Showbiz Reporter
SPONSORS of the Miss Zimbabwe Diaspora beauty pageant which was scheduled for Outer Limits Restaurant in Johannesburg, South Africa, over the weekend, allegedly pulled out at the last hour, leaving organisers with no option but to cancel the show. Seventeen models were expected to strut their stuff on the ramp, competing for the crown and a chance to represent the country at Miss Africa Mzansi and Miss Global.
Disappointed patrons who thronged the venue took to the pageant’s organiser – Maynard Chikuvare’s Facebook page to vent their anger after realising that the pageant was non-existent.
Some, mostly women, wrote that they were disappointed as they had dressed up for the occasion, only to find out that they had been taken for a ride.
Chikuvare, however, quickly deleted the posts.
Speaking on why the pageant had been cancelled at the last hour, Chikuvare claimed sponsors had let him down as they suddenly changed goal posts a day before the show.
He refused to reveal the sponsors saying he had signed a non-disclosure contract with them and was not allowed to reveal their names.
“We could not successfully host the pageant on the scheduled day due to the fact that our sponsors decided to pull out at the last minute. Though we tried pursuing the event alone, we could not do so as the resources we had were not enough,” said Chikuvare.
He said he was devastated by the sponsors’ behaviour and was in the process of consulting lawyers over the matter. According to their agreement, sponsors were supposed to state a valuable reason before pulling out.
“My lawyers are yet to advise us on the best way forward. We feel that our sponsors breached the contract,” Chikuvare said.
He however, assured pageant lovers that the event would be held before the end of the year.
“People should be assured that we’re going to do everything within our means to make sure we host the pageant before year end”.
The inaugural pageant was held last year in Cape Town. Charlene Phiri was crowned queen with Wilma Munemo and Tanyaradzwa Mukarakate being crowned first and second princess.
Online Reporter