Online Reporter
Liberty Dube
Entertainment Correspondent
IT was a night draped in colour, pride and celebration as Manicaland crowned its finest at the Mr and Miss Rural Zimbabwe provincial finals, held at a local hotel last Sunday.
Despite an unexpected last-minute venue change from Mutare Hall, the show unfolded seamlessly, proving both the resilience of the organisers and the excitement surrounding the event.
From the moment the lights came on, the atmosphere was electric.
The sound system carried every cheer, every note, and every announcement with clarity, setting the tone for a flawless evening.
The pageant, making a long-awaited return after more than a decade, drew a sizeable crowd from across the province.
Spectators gathered in anticipation, eager to witness a celebration of rural beauty, culture, and heritage.
Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister, Monica Mutsvangwa, graced the stage as guest of honour.
She personally handed each of the 18 contestants US$100, sealing the gesture with a handshake that left many visibly moved.
For newly crowned Miss Rural Manicaland, Chidochashe Chiunya, of Makoni District, that handshake was more than ceremonial – it was indeed life-changing.
“To be honest with you, the major highlight of the night was when I managed to get a handshake from Minister Mutsvangwa, which means a lot to me. The gesture on its own meant a lot to me, and I will always cherish it because she is someone that I used to watch on television and read about in newspapers. She embraced me and gave us nuggets about life that will certainly change my life.
The Minister also taught us to be firm and resolute if we are to conquer in pageantry, which has the potential to unlock several doors in life. I will always cherish the good moments that I had with her because it helped me,” she said.
Chiunya, a 21-year-old entrepreneur involved in poultry projects, said the crown had strengthened her resolve to succeed.
“At the moment, I have been doing a number of projects in Makoni, among them poultry, to ensure that I look after myself and my upkeep. I want to be my own boss, and we have been taught that during boot camp. It really opened my mind. Of course, I am a rural girl in Makoni, but I have big dreams in my life,” she said, adding that her vision is to transform perceptions about rural communities.
“I will not stop until we change the perception where rural people are associated with poverty. In my case, I have been changing that perception, and right now I can drive myself around. All I want are financial resources to ensure that we make an impression. In my community, they now hold me in great esteem, and I am determined to continue working hard and empower fellow girls in these areas,” she said.
Raphael Nyanyira, of Buhera was crowned Mr Rural Manicaland, walking away as king of a night defined by elegance and cultural pride.
Other winners included Charles Chinhanu from Mutasa and Tarvin Mauchaza from Mutare, who were named first and second princes, respectively.
In the women’s category, Vannessa Mutambaneshiri of Mutare and Cecilia Chikaonda from Makoni were crowned first and second princesses respectively.
Minister Mutsvangwa applauded the revival of the pageant, urging young people to embrace their roots.
“Miss Rural and Mr Rural are cultural showcases and portals that can contribute to our country’s Gross Domestic Product through tourism and entrepreneurship. By supporting these youths, we help them provide for child-headed homes, gain entrepreneurial skills, and access funding to build sustainable livelihoods. Activities like this instil community pride, preserve cultural identity, and empower the next generation. As we celebrate tonight, let us remember that this initiative reflects our shared commitment to uplifting rural communities and creating opportunities for young people to showcase their talent and potential,” she said.
Second Prince, Tarvin Mauchaza reflected on the experience with pride:
“This platform has shown me that coming from Mutare does not limit my potential. I have learnt discipline, confidence, and the importance of representing my culture with pride. I will use this opportunity to inspire other young men to believe in themselves and pursue their dreams.”
Second Princess Cecilia Chikaonda said: “This journey has been life-changing for me. It has taught me self-belief and the importance of embracing who I am as a rural girl from Makoni. I want to use my position to uplift other girls, showing them that their background is not a barrier but a strength.”
Ends
