Online Reporter
Liberty Dube
Entertainment Correspondent
THE lights of Harare shimmered like a crown over the weekend as beauty, ambition and dreams converged at the spectacular Miss Universe Zimbabwe 2026 pageant.
It was a night where confidence walked the runway, elegance met fierce competition and every contestant carried the hopes of a province on her shoulders.
Among them stood one of our own, 21-year-old Adele Chinamasa, who represented Manicaland with distinction.
Adele’s beaming presence lit up the stage.
Though her journey was not crowned with victory, it became one of the most inspiring stories of the night.
She emerged as one of the standout contestants, admired for her elegance, poised walk and strong stage presence.
From the early rounds to the final walk, Adele delivered performances marked by confidence and determination.
Dressed in carefully curated outfits that reflected both modern style and cultural pride, she consistently drew applause from the audience.
Her supporters flooded social media with messages of encouragement, while those in the venue cheered and ululated as she took to the stage with radiant energy.
The crown ultimately went to Shurugwi-born model, Roseanna Hall, in a competition that featured multiple titleholders across different international pageant categories.
Six other models also received crowns to represent the country in international pageants.
Virginia Tlou Nyambe was named Miss Intercontinental Zimbabwe, Jemima Mandemwa secured the Top Model title, Ruvimbo Njomboro was named Miss International Zimbabwe, Nicole Nyawera was crowned Miss Supranational Zimbabwe, and Malaika Mushandu earned the Miss Cosmo Zimbabwe title, while Brunnette Makanyiso will represent Zimbabwe at the Miss World pageant.
The level of talent was high, and every contestant brought something unique to the stage, making the experience both challenging and enriching.
For Adele, the pageant became more than just a contest — it was a defining learning curve in her modelling journey. Though she did not secure the main title, she left the stage with something equally valuable: experience, exposure and the admiration of many who witnessed her growth under pressure.
After the event, Adele expressed heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming support she received throughout her journey.
She posted on her social media handles: “My heart is full of gratitude. Thank you to every single person who voted, shared, supported, encouraged and believed in me throughout this journey.
“Every vote, every share, every message and every word of encouragement meant so much to me. Although the competition has come to an end, the love and support I received will stay with me forever.
“Thank you for walking this journey with me and for being part of such a special chapter in my life. I am truly grateful.”
Her words resonated deeply with fans and supporters, many of whom took to Facebook and other platforms to uplift her spirit even further.
One supporter wrote: “You fought a good fight and represented yourself with absolute dignity, grace and intelligence, Adele! The end of one competition is just the opening of a door to even greater things. Head high, you made everyone who supported you incredibly proud. The future is brilliant!”
Another added: “You opened new doors for yourself. You have seen how it is done. Go and polish up. You can still come back and compete again.”
These messages reflected a shared belief that Adele’s journey is far from over. Instead, it is only beginning to unfold. Many saw her performance not as a conclusion, but as the foundation of a promising future in modelling and beyond.
Despite not taking home a crown, Adele stood tall as a symbol of resilience and determination.
She represented Manicaland with pride, carried herself with elegance and proved that success is not always defined by winning titles, but also by growth, courage and the ability to inspire others.
As the lights dimmed on the pageant stage and celebrations continued for the crowned queens of the night, one message remained clear among Adele’s supporters: her future is bright.
With experience now added to her talent and determination, the path ahead holds even greater possibilities.
