Chronicle Editor
Mbulelo Mpofu, m[email protected]
MENTAL Voices Trust recently announced the return of the Miss Rural Zimbabwe beauty pageant with different stakeholders endorsing it.
The pageant has not been held for several years due to economic challenges, the Covid-19 pandemic and other factors.
Stakeholders have warmly welcomed the announcement of Miss Rural Zimbabwe’s return.
Deputy Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Emily Jesiah expressed her delight over the return of the pageant.
“I am thrilled as the Deputy Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture to acknowledge the return of the Miss Rural Zimbabwe pageant organised by the Mental Voices Trust founded by Sipho Mazibuko,” said Deputy Minister Jesiah.
“This unique pageant holds significant cultural and social importance. It not only celebrates the beauty and talents of rural girls but also provides them with a platform to showcase their skills and aspirations.
“The revival of Miss Rural Zimbabwe is particularly noteworthy in the context of our commitment to inclusion. This initiative empowers rural girls by promoting self-confidence, leadership, and personal development, ultimately contributing to their social inclusion and economic empowerment,” she said.
The last fully-fledged edition was held in 2007 in Masvingo and won by Nyasha Cherine Phiri of Gokwe Nembudziya in the Midlands Province.
In a press statement, Mental Voices Trust outlined the entry requirements for would-be participants.
“The Miss Rural Zimbabwe pageant is open to all rural-based Zimbabwean women between the ages of 18 and 25 who have never been married and have no children.
“Contestants must have a 100 percent rural background, natural hair and looks, and be living in a 100 percent rural setting. This one-of-a-kind competition provides a platform for these extraordinary young women to showcase their unique qualities and inspire others in their communities.
“We are thrilled to bring back the Miss Rural Zimbabwe pageant and provide a stage for rural young women to shine. As a woman with a strong rural background, I know the power of emancipation from grassroots level,” said Sipho Mazibuko, Founder and CEO of Mental Voices Trust.
“This event is more than just a beauty competition — it’s an opportunity to empower, uplift and celebrate the incredible talent and potential of our rural youth. We are also thrilled to incorporate young men within the same age bracket and residential setting.”
“With the help of village chiefs’ wives, the adjudication team will scour through the prospective participants to ensure the criteria is strictly followed and everybody gets a fair chance.
“This pageant is a deliberate ploy to emancipate rural women and men with requisite life skills and to take them off the scourge of early marriages, use of narcotics and engagement in mischief,” said Mazibuko.
Chiefs Council president Chief Mtshane Khumalo said he welcomed the pageant’s return.
“They are most welcome in our communities as well. I have already received communication that they intend to work with us. Once all protocols have been observed, we will support them,” he said.
The return of the pageant solidifies Mazibuko’s drive to empower rural women and men to fight early marriages, drug and substance abuse as well as giving them skills for self-sustenance. – Follow on X @MbuleloMpofu
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