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Brenda Phiri Entertainment Reporter
Zimbabwean model, Yolanda Yona will represent the country this year at the Miss Africa US grand finale in August. Yona (27), made it into the top 15 after shaking off competition from 30 other contestants at the semi-finals that were held in Washington DC.
“This is the most difficult pageant I have ever done.
“All the girls were beautiful but I am happy I made it. Nothing would have been possible without God,” she said.
The Mutare-born model who is known as Nana Simz in the modelling world be raising the country’s flag yet again after coming out second in the Miss Africa Ukraine last year.
She is, however, excited about the current pageant as she feels it is an even bigger platform that is set to showcase what Zimbabwe has to offer.
“It certainly is a life-changing experience to meet different people from all over the world.
“The opportunity of meeting the United Nations Ambassador is also huge for me as I get inspired to work for my country,” she said.
While in her former base Ukraine, Yolanda Yona has had a successful stint in showbiz.
She has graced a Russian publication, Pink Magazine before landing a role in a high budget Moscow action movie “22 Minutes” in 2013.
She added that she was confident she would bring home the crown because of her beauty, brains and vast experience.
“Zimbabwe has never won this pageant and I think it’s time to change that.
“I have always known that at this stage in my modelling career, I would focus on meaningful things in life. This pageant is definitely that platform,” she said.
The vision of the Miss Africa US Pageant, according to their website is driven by the potential and capacity of the empowered African women.
Now in its ninth year, its queens are involved in charity and humanitarian projects in their communities around the world.
The reigning queen Kathy Onwu is from Nigeria.
Online Reporter